By Perennial hipster bible On the Road took about sixty years to adapt, but now that it has been, it will see distribution courtesy of AMC Networks, under labels IFC Films and Sundance Selects. The film, in competition for the Palme d’Or at Cannes later this month, was produced by Francis Ford Copppola, who’s held the rights to it since 1980, and directed by Brazilian Walter Salles.
On the Road stars Sam Riley (BAFTA-nominated for his lead role in Control) as author Jack Kerouac’s alter ego Sal Paradise, and Garrett Hedlund as his Tyler Durden, Dean Moriarty. Twilight‘s Kristen Stewart gets to reclaim a bit of indie cred as Marylou and the supporting cast features some exciting names like Viggo Mortensen, Steve Buscemi, Terrence Howard, and Mad Men‘s Elisabeth Moss.
AMC acquired the film for “low seven figures.” Coppola purchased the rights to the book for $95,000 after Kerouac’s agent turned down an offer of $110,000 from Warner Bros., to the author’s displeasure. Kerouac had at one time wished to star in the film as Paradise, with Marlon Brando as Moriarty.
[via Variety]