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Depp loves the rum... and he loves the Hunter S... and we'll love THE RUM DIARY!

Published at:  Jul 30, 2007 1:32:59 AM CDT

Hey folks, Harry here... crossing the Snake River on my way to Twin Falls, Idaho for the night... as a train passes overhead and a full moon illuminates this vast hilly prairie... I get news that Johnny Depp will again be possessed by the spirit of Hunter S Thompson. Sadly he won't be teaming up again with Terry Gilliam for the film, but never fear - he's in great hands. He's doing this adaptation of THE RUM DIARY with WITHNAIL AND I's Bruce Robinson writing and directing.

It's a bit odd that an older Depp will be playing a younger Thompson... even if it is as Paul Kemp. All I know is... Depp's doing Hunter S again... this is fantastic news. Film is for WARNER INDEPENDENT - and it must be genius!



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    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:36:20 AM CDT

    First!

    by berkshirewoods

    Should be an awesome movie!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:44:56 AM CDT

    Maybe it's just me, but...

    by mopguy

    isn't this old news? Like several months old at least?

    If not then I've somehow been having premonitions of this movie for a while.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:49:52 AM CDT

    No this is not good news

    by nabster

    Like the article mentions Depp is too old to play the title character in the novel. The character is a fish out of water journalist in Peurto Rico, and an older Depp is not what is required to play this character. Why is it necessary to commercialize inherently uncommercial novels? The answer is to cash in on the name of Hunter S. Thompson, pathetic if you ask me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:50:33 AM CDT

    Dudehe'sowned the rights to this script since 99'

    by gride9000

    I saw him live at the LA memorial for Alan Ginsberg. After, he told me he'd purchased the film rights recently published. He is a producer on this film for sure.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:52:53 AM CDT

    Another aspect which will be nulified is

    by nabster

    the love triangle in the book. Depp is in love with some blonde bombshell, and his competition, his supposed friend is considerably more attractive, yet Depp is considered to be one of the hottest actors around, so how is this condusive to his character? Sorry I hate these Vanity projects, thats all they are. Read the book, frack the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:57:17 AM CDT

    Buy a ticket, take the ride...

    by latauro

    Saw the Hunter S Thompson doco the other day, and as I was watching Depp's interview I was thinking it was a pity that Rum Diary never happened. Glad to see it's back on track.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 1:58:58 AM CDT

    Wasn't Benicio supposed to write and direct...

    by lenny nero

    ...as per news around four years ago?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:04:33 AM CDT

    Feared and loathing news...

    by artifakts

    Lets just hope it isn't as dreadful as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:08:58 AM CDT

    This has potential

    by samsquanch

    Except for the fact that Thompson was a younger man when he wrote it, it's his first novel if I'm not mistaken, so... not yet thirty? Sorry, but Depp can't pull that off, babyface or no. I do like the idea of recreating PR in the fifties though, I love old San Juan, been there a bunch, read this book there, and always wondered what it would have been like back then. Hopefully they actually shoot it there, and not on some backlot in LA.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:13:49 AM CDT

    This IS good news...

    by kubla_khan

    The book's great, can easily be adapted for the screen and to accommodate a slightly older Depp. As to the "he's too handsome" -- well, don't you recall he went bald for F and L? Maybe he'll do it for this. Whetever, I'm on board as I love the book.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:18:59 AM CDT

    What the hell is the problem

    by spaced_and_confused

    Johnny Depp is not doing this to take advantage of anything. He loved Thompson man, attended his funeral (I think even gave the eulogy) and is Currently struggling to get the Gonzo statue replaced. And who cares if he's a little older, once he is back in character it will be a non-issue. He wouldn't do this unless he thought it benefited the memory of Thompson.

    And Artifaks...ooohhooohooo, I'm not gonna say anything, I'll just let the bloodthirsty TBers have at you

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:24:31 AM CDT

    Put em up Artifakts

    by wired earp

    You speak them fighten words...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:40:14 AM CDT

    Depp vs Thompson

    by drave117

    I just watched some video clips of Hunter S. Thompson on YouTube and compared them to Depp's version of him. Depp is freakishly accurate. And I don't think anybody in their right mind can state that Depp was even remotely attractive in Fear & Loathing. I agree that this movie is good news.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:50:17 AM CDT

    http://www.aintitcool.com/node/19901

    by thewaybackmachine

    I'm pretty sure Harry was replaced in the last two years by some dumber duplicate of himself. This story is ancient, and he even ran the same fucking story in 2005.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:56:23 AM CDT

    Yeah, TheWayBackMachine...

    by docbosch

    ...and Variety is also full of shit: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969386.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2563 I guess Harry is not allowed to report on movies that then go on to not be made right away... and he can never mention them ever again if they get revived. Good rule.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:23:21 AM CDT

    Why does this get reported about every year?

    by bungion boy

    The first time I heard this exact same news was way back in 2001. Ever since then it has gotten pushed back a lot but then it gets talked about again always as if nobody has mentioned it before. It's frustrating because every time I see a headline like this I hope for new news on the subject, but are we really any closer to seeing this film? I sure hope so. I love Thompson's writings, and while I thought the Fear and Loathing film had a few major flaws, Depp was fantastic and it's great to see that character, or a similar one with a different name, on the screen. I hope this is great.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:25:03 AM CDT

    Mop Guy

    by bungion boy

    You know what I'm talking about. Right on. It's not just you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:59:51 AM CDT

    Artifakts

    by matdgz

    How can you say F&LiLV was an awful film? DO YOU NOT KNOW LITERARY/FILMIC BRILLIANCE WHEN YOU SEE IT? I can't wait to see Depp as HST again. It'll be interesting as this one isn't so Gonzo as some of his other work, Depp will be playing it real - kinda like Murray in Where the Buffalo Roam. TRD is a wonderful book, and I'm keen to see Josh Hartnett playing Yeomon. Bring it on!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 4:07:44 AM CDT

    RIP Ingmar Bergman

    by knugen

    Even though I'm an atheist and it's seriously off topic...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 4:19:38 AM CDT

    Do people not understand how movies work?

    by docbosch

    Sometimes a movie will go into development, and sometimes they are just dropped. Then they may be picked up somewhere else and then there's the possibility it could get made again. Every time it gets a new chance, that's NEWS. You know how many times Watchmen was turned around? It went through a couple of directors and studios, and each revival was reported here. That's what keeps happening with Rum Diary, except it's always the same director and star. Are you saying that because of that, AICN shouldve refrained from reporting about Watchmen?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 5:01:36 AM CDT

    Fuck You Artifakts!!!!

    by dogsoup

    Star Wars totally pwns Lord of the Rings!! Oh what? Books? "COME OUT NEVILLE!!" Huh wrong book? Oh....is Bill Murray going to be in this? I love Groundhog Day. Ooooh Johnny Depp....nice didn't he already do this movie? Oh that's the one Artifakts hated...Fuck you dude! Browncoats rule! Anyway so...pretty shitty what he did to his wife though. /purposefully disjointed farcical thoughtrain

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 5:08:20 AM CDT

    Artifakts!!!!

    by monotonous black

    You come around these parts again and I'll give you a karate chop to the nuts! Somehow. I'm not sure how this will work. Forget it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 5:08:54 AM CDT

    GET GOING ALREADY!

    by traumnovelle

  • Jul 30, 2007 5:11:34 AM CDT

    Nabster=moron

    by dr sauch

    Watch Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride and you can see how much of a 'vanity project' this is and how much depp is looking to 'cash in' on HST. HST became a hero to Depp, you nitwit. And, although you may be attracted to Depp, I think he has shown through his carrer that he is not interested in the least in looking pretty in his movies. You are an idiot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 8:33:12 AM CDT

    As others have said...

    by c legion

    this is very old news, my question is why are different sources now mentioning it again? Does this mean that it is finally going to go into production? I see no confirmation of this anywhere. I really do hope it is actually going to get made now, as I love Bruce Robinson and it will be awesome to see him directing again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 9:06:33 AM CDT

    sounds potentially good

    by kafka07

    I like HST abd Depp is a decent actor. It'll be good to see Depp as Thompson again, as long as the script and director are good too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 9:14:53 AM CDT

    Another HST movie? About Damned time!!!

    by kentucky colonel

    With Depp, a native of Owensboro, KY once again portraying Hunter, another Louisville native like myself, the good Colonel is having a pretty good morning. Saw "Sunshine" last night an really dug it.

    Now, when are they gonna make a film of one of Hunter's best sorts "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved"? Again, being a Louisville native and former 5-year employee of Churchill Downs (I shot horses...with a video camera...among other things) I can attest that his observations of the Derby, albeit from the early 60's, is still spot on to this day.

    I dunno...I've not lived in KY for three years now. Every time I visit I'm reminded that it's a wonderful little city (or big town, your choice). But in reality, compared to DC Louisville isn't even a Rosslyn or even Falls Church. But for a town on the Ohio river it's pretty bitchin'. And hell, back in the 19-teens it was the 12th largest city in the country...back when you could buy morphine OTC. Man, those must have been the days!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 9:26:35 AM CDT

    Glad it's not Gilliam

    by scamsandflams

    I love Gilliam but F&LILV is tiring and pointless

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 10:04:56 AM CDT

    After reading

    by unlabled

    Rum Diary a few years ago I definitely saw this as a great movie opportunity.

    I always saw David Thewlis circa Island of Dr. Moreau as Paul Kemp.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 10:21:41 AM CDT

    Wait, so Depp is actually playing HST in this?!

    by darth bauer

    Sorry, I'm not familiar with the book.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 11:00:58 AM CDT

    No Benicio then?

    by cherryvalance

    Because I too had heard about him doing this for years. I haven't read the book either though. Maybe there's room for both of them?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 11:33:14 AM CDT

    The Fear and Loathing Letters Vol. 1

    by conniebrean1

    In "The Proud Highway" we see through the letters he wrote to people that Thompson tried to get this published for years and was rejected everywhere. He even concluded that it wasn't very good and probably didn't deserve to be published. That's why it wasn't published until way after he was famous. The book simply isn't that good. I don't understand why everyone is so worked up about it. Now, a "Hell's Angels" movie with Depp as Thompson would have some potential. That could be sweet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:14:45 PM CDT

    GILLIAM NEEDS THERAPY!!!!

    by ludmir88

    FEAR AND LOATHSOME IN LAS VEGAS was weird even more with a fat tobey maguire!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:14:54 PM CDT

    Too old!

    by thunderbolt ross

    Dammit, Travolta adapted for Battlefield Earth - why can't you, Depp? Why?????

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:24:38 PM CDT

    To ThreeOranges

    by jocasta

    The Hartnett ship, yes that may well have sailed out with Hunter S Thompson, who wanted Hartnett for Yeamon when they became friends in about 2003.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 2:50:26 PM CDT

    Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?

    by zeke25:17

    CAN YOU HEAR ME?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:22:55 PM CDT

    About Benicio

    by spaced_and_confused

    It's Been a while since I read the book, but I'm pretty sure Zeta Costa was not a character in the book, or at least he wasn't Thompson's sidekick. If he is in the flick, expect a more Peter Boyle style performance, as Oscar Zeta Costa was, aside from being a bipolar whackjob, one of the only lawyers in the 60's who was willing to defend the Haight Ashbury crowd. I'm psyched

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:35:47 PM CDT

    HELLS ANGELS

    by superzerotwo

    Should also be considered for adaptation. It was his first published novel and has the same tone and spirit as Fear and Loathing but Angels is more dangerous, more depraved. Curse of lono would be neat to see up on the screen also.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 3:36:25 PM CDT

    this is

    by imnofx

    the best news i heard all day

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 4:23:20 PM CDT

    I can see the philistines are out today...

    by condomwrapper

    How can you not love both the book and film F&LILV? I recall five or six years ago that HST himself became frustrated with the sluggish pace of getting TRDs to the screen, and he wrote a hilarious letter to a female producer expressing his frustrations. Does anyone have the link? I'd love to read that again. Now all we need is for someone to adapt another Bukowski book and I'll be one happy camper, I loved Factotum.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 5:59:39 PM CDT

    Kemp is not Thompson

    by revol

    Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson Kemp is not Thompson

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2007 11:58:52 PM CDT

    I heard Daniel Raddcliff

    by mockingbuddha

    was a Hunter Thompson fan. I'd love to hear what he thinks about this. I'll be onboard if he is. Are they ever going to make a movie of Restaurant at the End of the Universe? Didn't Hunter S. write that? I know some writer did...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 12:23:34 AM CDT

    Mockingbuddha

    by spaced_and_confused

    Your thinking of Douglas Adams, he wrote the Hitchhiker series

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 2:49:39 AM CDT

    Hard to tell

    by johnnyoclock

    where the sarcasm ends

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 3:18:07 AM CDT

    Way too old

    by nabster

    Sorry no way you cut it, a forty year old playing a twenty year old is a different character, pure and simple.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 6:22:15 AM CDT

    why is it some folks don't age?

    by bdt

    I thought Johnny Depp was one of those people who age backwards or at very least, doesn't age at all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 8:14:42 AM CDT

    Awesome, another performance where Depp....

    by mosquito march

    ...doesn't have to play a character with any real depth. He can just rely on Thompson's outrageous mannerisms and manner of speaking to make the audience go "haha" for a little while and leave without having seen an actual character arc. Don't misunderstand me - he was hilarious in FEAR & LOATHING. But at the end of it all, he was just playing a caricature of Thompson. I don't remember seeing anything deeper than Thompson's outward behavior. Mimicry, however entertaining it might be, does not equal a great performance. But, if Johnny Depp took a shit on camera, people would call him a genius.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 10:16:51 AM CDT

    Fear And Loathing movie and book are great

    by lovecraftfan

    Fear And Loathing was Gilliams last great film and is highly underrated. Its not pointless. In fact its positively unsubtle in its point much like the book. Just watch the whole movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 1:19:45 PM CDT

    this got back on track for 1 reason

    by 9banned0.5furious

    Deep+rum something=idiots associate with Pirate=$$$You know is true.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 2:07:25 PM CDT

    Might have something to do with the upcoming strike

    by stuntcock mike

    They green lit Brad Pitt's Bullitt after a few years in development as well. That'll suck, to be sure.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 4:38:55 PM CDT

    Gilliam's, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas..

    by dekionplexis

    Is a masterpiece.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2007 8:05:42 PM CDT

    Who says Kemp is Hunter?

    by jack21

    The Rum Diary is a fantastic book, but it's a lot different than "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas." Not much Gonzo in it at all, at least the way I percieve it. So I don't see why everyone--or almost everyone--is so bummed out that Terry Gillian isn't attached. The Rum Diary is an awesome book; but nowhere near as outlandish and wonderful as Fear and Loathing, in my humble opinion. Anyway, this should be good.

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