'Wimpy Kid' writer: 'New film is a throwback'

Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney has said that the upcoming sequel movie is "a throwback".

The cartoonist told Metro that Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is popular because of its old-fashioned nature.

Kinney said: "This is a family ensemble and the reason it is striking a chord is that it is anachronistic in a way, it's a bit of a throwback, an old-fashioned family comedy.

"It centres around sibling rivalry between Greg and his older brother, Rodrick, who is a typical teenager. It looks at their mother's efforts to get the boys to bond and spend time together and high jinks ensue."

Asked if he ever thought he would be successful, Kinney added: "I never thought [the books] would get published. I've had a substantial track record of failure.

"For three years I tried to get my cartoon strip syndicated but I couldn't break into the publishing world. So everything has been a surprise."

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules beat Sucker Punch to the top of the US box office in March.