A man and his boy alone, walking on the desolated roads of a post-war, apocalyptic America looking for any sign of civilization.
That is the premise behind the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning novel and Oprah Book Club fav from author Cormac McCarthy, in a move that is so unlike Hollywood, is being adapted for the big screen.
In an age where the entertainment industry has habitually been dredging up old, already done scripts, remaking older, and in some cases, not so old films, it is refreshing to see someone willing take something fresh and want to see if it can be adapted from page to screen. Rumor has it that Viggo Mortensen (“Lord of the Rings Trilogy,” “Hidalgo” & “Eastern Promises”) is currently under negotiations for the lead.
Two of McCarthy’s other novels, “No Country For Old Men” and “All the Pretty Horses” have been made into theatrical releases with mixed success.
“The Road” will come from the Weinstein boys with John Hillcoat (“Ghosts… of the Civil Dead,” “Proposition”) set to direct. Production begins January 2008. A release date is TBA.
Mortensen has just wrapped the film “Good,” a story about the rise of national socialism in Germany and is just starting his shoot for the western epic “Appaloosa.”
christopher says
“mixed success”? ‘no country for old men hasn’t even been released yet!
Shane says
“The Road” is a brilliant book. A one sitting read in fact. People that aren’t familiar with or don’t like genre fiction are acclaiming the book for its originality. However I reckon it is based on that old sf trope – the post apocalypse story. Readers of “literature” really seem to be completely ignorant what is probably a complete sub-genre of sf.
Expecting much of the movie if John Hillcoat directs. “The Proposition” and “Ghosts… Of The Civil” may be among the best Aussie films ever made. Both dark, complex and violent. Nick Cave co-wrote both films and starred in “Ghosts…”. “The Proposition” is essentially a “Western” but situated in the Aussie Outback in colonial times. An outlaw is captured and and given an ultimatum to kill his older brother or his younger brother will be executed. “Ghosts…” is based in a modern super max jail where prisoners are brutalised until… lots of violence. The film has lots to say about society, fear and manipulation. Powerful stuff.
Sam says
That comment was meant mostly for Thornton’s “Pretty Horses,” however “No Country For Old Men” has been released at several important film festivals this year. The reception “Old Men” got in France and Italy this summer was just a few degrees above tepid. It was really hyped to do well at Cannes, and although it didn’t get a chilly reception, it also didn’t get the exalted response the Coen boys were hoping for. Canada received it better at the Toronto Film Festival about two weeks ago.
Vanamonde says
SF’s no good,’ they bellow till we’re deaf.
‘But this looks good.’
‘Well then, it’s not SF.’
Robert Conquest
Which sums up the whole hulabaloo about Cormac’s book.