Preview: On The Road
By Alex Bigbie
People have been waiting for a film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s legendary ‘On the Road’ since it was first published in 1957. Initially a bible for the beat generation it has as much value for young readers today as it ever did. Even now it feels like a teen rite of passage to have read it and to share in his angst. Kerouac famously wrote a
note begging Marlon Brando to act and make the film with him. Despite this, Kerouac’s early death confined the film to limbo until very recently.
It seems we are now closer than ever to seeing a film adaptation. Since Francis Ford Coppola bought the film rights in 1980 the project seems to have passed under the nose of most of Hollywood. Coppola himself stated that finding a way to shoot it would be “inherently difficult.” Joel Schumacher was originally chosen to direct in 2002. This is probably one of the reasons for the slow progress considering his recent work which includes the notably terrible Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Not forgetting the dire The Number 23.
The problem was that a film like On the Road needs someone closer to in age and perspective to its young author to realise such a difficult project. Schumacher lost much of his flair for low budget and intelligent film making after The Lost Boys in 1987. It needed someone with a vision more like Kerouac’s own.
The project is now, thankfully, looking closer than ever to production. Motorcycle Diaries director Walter Salles in now in control of the project. The screenplay will be written by Jose Rivera who worked with him on the film. This pair, more than any previous candidates look like the best hope for fulfilling the artistic needs of such a troubled film. The other good news is that Sam Riley, who played Richard Curtis in Control is rumoured to be playing Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s alter ego. This combination will hopefully be able to bring the film to life.
note begging Marlon Brando to act and make the film with him. Despite this, Kerouac’s early death confined the film to limbo until very recently.
It seems we are now closer than ever to seeing a film adaptation. Since Francis Ford Coppola bought the film rights in 1980 the project seems to have passed under the nose of most of Hollywood. Coppola himself stated that finding a way to shoot it would be “inherently difficult.” Joel Schumacher was originally chosen to direct in 2002. This is probably one of the reasons for the slow progress considering his recent work which includes the notably terrible Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. Not forgetting the dire The Number 23.
The problem was that a film like On the Road needs someone closer to in age and perspective to its young author to realise such a difficult project. Schumacher lost much of his flair for low budget and intelligent film making after The Lost Boys in 1987. It needed someone with a vision more like Kerouac’s own.
The project is now, thankfully, looking closer than ever to production. Motorcycle Diaries director Walter Salles in now in control of the project. The screenplay will be written by Jose Rivera who worked with him on the film. This pair, more than any previous candidates look like the best hope for fulfilling the artistic needs of such a troubled film. The other good news is that Sam Riley, who played Richard Curtis in Control is rumoured to be playing Sal Paradise, Kerouac’s alter ego. This combination will hopefully be able to bring the film to life.