By Greg Vellante
Corresopndent

He went on a determined quest for booze in “Superbad” and got a girl pregnant in “Juno,” but with his new film “Youth in Revolt,” Michael Cera makes all of his previous endeavors of youthful rebellion look like child’s play.

In the comedy, released Friday, the 21-year-old actor plays 16-year-old Nick Twisp, an awkward adolescent who creates a defiant alter ego named Francois Dillinger, who goes on a rampage of insubordination to impress a girl.

The movie is based on the first in a series of novels by author C.D. Payne, a book which Cera himself had read and had been looking forward to being part of the movie adaptation.

“I just loved the book, and I was really excited about it being made into a movie,” Cera said during a recent interview in Boston. “I think the book really feels like a movie, reads like a movie, and I think it was a pretty obvious choice to be made into a movie.”

Cera referred to Payne’s text on numerous occasions throughout filming, yet never considered himself a prisoner to the standards of the novel or those of the screenplay.

“You have to do what’s right for the movie, because you need it to be entertaining as a movie. You’re not really bound to it; it’s just there to help you and to refer to,” he said. “And it’s really nice as actors to have something that really, clearly shows you what your character is and goes really in-depth into the characters.”

Those who see the film will not only notice a different side of Nick Twisp with his alternate persona Francois Dillinger, but a different side of Cera as well, with his performance as Dillinger. Sporting a sinister mustache, the actor claims he “got to do a lot more fun stuff with Francois” but “had a lot of fun playing both (characters)”.

Playing two characters was fun, he said, but filming them was a whole different story.

“It was fun to do the scenes where I was acting off myself, because it was really technical. You have to hit your mark very precisely, and the timing has to be perfect,” Cera said of his double role. “You’re trying to find the rhythm of this other thing that you just recorded. So it was a lot of fun to figure out, and for every situation there was a different way to shoot it, a different trick. So it was cool watching that happen because I’m really interested in that stuff.”

Of course, Cera wouldn’t have been able to have as much fun without his female costar, Portia Doubleday. In her first feature film role, Doubleday plays Sheeni Saunders, the girl of Nick Twisp’s dreams. Aside from romantic scenes with Cera, the actress also found herself sharing the screen with a well-rounded ensemble cast, including Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Justin Long, Zach Galifianakis, Fred Willard, and Ray Liotta — a tough task for a newcomer.

“I think I was in so deep that I was kind of desensitized,” Doubleday said, laughing. “But yeah, it was incredible. They were all really warm and awesome, had great personalities, and were super talented.”

When asked who was more her type, Nick or Francois, the actress giggled. “I don’t necessarily want guys, like, burning down buildings for me. I think I’ve always wanted a taste of both. I always want there to be a little bit of adventure. A little bad is always good. So… a good/bad boy.”

While Doubleday’s career is just beginning, Cera has been in the spotlight since his breakout role in TV’s cult favorite “Arrested Development.” Since then, his roles have followed a similar pattern of boyish awkwardness, a quality he seems to share with all of his characters. Yet, despite the similarities, the actor rejects any accusation that he is becoming typecast in teen comedies.

“You get to choose as an actor what you’re in, so being typecasted kind of doesn’t happen against your will,” Cera said. “You sign on for everything you’re a part of. I’m not really afraid, but yeah, this was different and fun to be able to work on. You kind of just need to see what comes along as an actor, just keep your eyes peeled, go with your gut, and try to get lucky.”

As for Cera’s future, he wrapped up shooting a film last year called “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” set for release later this year.

And as for the endless rumors surrounding an “Arrested Development” movie?

“I don’t know. I think just the same stuff,” he said. “It’s just being developed right now.”

Doubleday, on the other hand, is still trying to maintain the balance between her budding acting career and her education. The actress, who currently attends California State University, Northridge, calls the balance “a whirlwind,” being reminded of how she’s still “in the middle of writing an essay about self-managing me biting my cuticles.”

“It’s really bizarre just going back to school, sitting in class, and doing that whole schedule,” she said. “But at the same time, it definitely keeps me going. I always want to be being inspired or influenced by something, someway. I actually enjoy it.”