Exclusive: James Franco Planning to Direct Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy Classics
Actor James Franco–headed to an Oscar nomination for “127 Hours” and getting ready to co-host the Academy Awards in February–is planning two big directing efforts.
Franco is in talks to direct William Faulkner‘s literary classic, “As I Lay Dying,” from his own screenplay.
Franco and manager Miles Levy have been in discussion for time with the Faulkner estate. They’ve also got a commitment from Fox Searchlight to bring the project to fruition.
Unlike at least a half dozen other films that have been “announced” for Franco in the last few weeks, the actor tells me this is the one he’s most attached to. He’s hopeful of getting it off the ground next spring.
“As I Lay Dying” isn’t the only writer-director project Franco’s involved in. He tells me he’s also in the process of making a deal with Scott Rudin to write and direct Cormac McCarthy‘s “Blood Meridian” in 2012. Franco and Rudin are also partnered in next fall’s Broadway production of “Sweet Bird of Youth” with Nicole Kidman.
Cormac McCarthy is a little like the modern day Faulkner, although he’s had much more luck in Hollywood. So far his “All the Pretty Horses,” “The Road,” and “No Country for Old Men” have all made it to the big screen.
And yes, this is all while Franco attends classes at Yale University and the Rhode Island School of Design.
He also just completed directing a small, indie film about the famed poet Hart Crane called “The Broken Tower.” But “As I Lay Dying”–which others, including Sean Penn, have wanted to make for a long time–will be his big studio debut.
If all that isn’t enough, Franco is bringing his art project film connected to the ’80s sitcom, “Three’s Company,” to the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontiers section later this month.
He’s also moving talent agencies, following his longtime agent, Kami Putnam-Heist, to CAA. “I’m being loyal to my agent,” Franco says, which is a rare thing in Hollywood.
[…] a month after Franco preformed at the real “Rob Pruitt Art Awards.” January 3, 2011: Adapting and directing William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. January 3, 2011: Adapting and directing Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. Late 2010 […]
[…] also co-hosting the 83rd Academy Awards with Anne Hathaway next month? On top of all this, comes news that Franco’s written a screenplay of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, and is set to direct […]
[…] And finally film. I want to ignore this, to pretend it isn’t happening, but I can’t. Ubiquitous Hollywood hack, James Franco, is adapting As I Lay Dying as a feature film. The good news: Michael Shannon may be involved. The bad news: James Franco is involved. […]
[…] thing is never enough for multitasking addict Franco, in addition to directing, he’s also planning to write the screenplay for his movie based on Faulkner’s 1930 masterpiece. Hell, he’ll probably want to play […]
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying) your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips for newbie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
[…] to Showbiz 411, talks are already under way for Franco to write and direct an adaptation of William Faulkner’s […]
I’m hoping if James Franco offers a role to Joaquin Phoenix that Joaquin Phoenix will accept it.
[…] same for As I Lay Dying? Earlier this week, it was announced that actor-student-novelist-heartthrob Franco will serve as writer and director of a film adaptation of William Faulkner’s stream-of-consciousness masterpiece, As I Lay Dying. Below is a list of […]
[…] חדשות ג'יימס פרנקו: אתר שואוביז 411, מדווח כי פרנקו מעוניין לביים שני סרטים עפ"י […]
[…] docena de títulos por los que el norteamericano ha mostrado interés, el actor ha comentado a Showbiz 411 que es la adaptación de As I Lay Dying el proyecto al que se encuentra más vinculado. El actor […]
[…] Alto" author Franco is planning to bring two literary classics to the big screen, reports Showbiz411.com. The first is William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying," which Franco plans to direct […]
[…] Friedman spoke to Franco and reports that Franco is working with Faulkner’s estate to get As I Lay Dying […]
[…] Showbiz411 reports that Franco is currently negotiating to direct an adaptation of William Faulkner’s weighty tome ‘As I Lay Dying’ from his own script. Considering the novel is from the perspective of about 300 different narrators, it’s going to be a hell of a challenge. […]
[…] un director muy interesante y sobre todo que nos podrá hacer disfrutar durante muchos años.Vía: Showbiz411 | Foto: CanalTCM /**/ Tweet MenéameTuentidel.icio.usGoogle Buzz Dirección para […]
[…] Source: 411 […]
[…] be successfully adapted to film? You can thank me later. I mention this question because today Roger Friedman, who may or may not be a reliable source, reported that 127 Hours star and general overachiever […]
[…] tells Showbiz 411 that he’s currently in talks to direct an adaptation of William Faulkner’s classic […]
[…] tells Showbiz 411 that he’s currently in talks to direct an adaptation of William Faulkner’s classic […]
[…] In other news, James Franco is in talks to direct William Faulkner‘s As I Lay Dying from his own screenplay, as well as working with Scott Rudin to write and direct Cormac McCarthy‘s Blood Meridian. He’s ALSO remaining loyal to his agent and switching agencies with him, to CAA (shout-out to Seana, receptionist extraordinaire). […]
[…] Franco‘s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner‘s literary classic, As I […]
[…] Franco‘s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner‘s literary classic, As I […]
[…] Click here to read the rest. Entry Filed In: James News | Leave a Reply […]
[…] Franco‘s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner‘s literary classic, As I […]
Saying Faulkner was not successful in Hollywood is pretty misleading, considering that he co-wrote the screenplays for ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘To Have and Have Not.’ Maybe adaptations of his novels and short stories haven’t been as successful as adaptations of McCarthy’s, but you only said ‘Faulkner.’
[…] until it’s not, but anyway: James Franco to write/adapt & direct As I Lay Dying and Blood Meridian. blog comments powered by Disqus […]
[…] Franco’s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner’s literary classic, As I […]
[…] Franco’s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner’s literary classic, As I […]
[…] Franco’s latest project will have him writing the screenplay and directing William Faulkner’s literary classic, As I […]
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[…] via Showbiz 411 Like It, Stumble It, Reddit Tags As I Lay DyingJames FrancoWilliam Faulkner […]
[…] to school for screenwriting and directing has decided to put those skills to the test. According to Showbiz411, he’ll direct and pen scripts based on the works of William Faulkner and Cormac McCarthy. […]
[…] Showbiz411 had the scoop that Franco and his manager have the backing of Fox Searchlight to bring the Faulkner tale to the big screen. The stream-of-consciousness story — about a family making a grim pilgrimage to bury their matriarch — has been a long-standing Hollywood commodity, which directors like Sean Penn have expressed an interest in. Showbiz411 says the dynamic, young actor hopes to get the project started next Spring. Franco may also team up with the equally versatile producer, Scott Rudin, to write and direct Cormac McCarthy’s ‘Blood Meridian’ next year. However, according to The Playlist (via an email to Rudin from Anne Thompson), the producer “severely downplays Friedman’s report without exactly denying it.” So devour this news with a grain of salt for now. […]
[…] Faulkner himself and another by the modern novelist most often called Faulkneresque. According to a report at Showbiz411, Franco has spent months in negotiations with Faulkner’s estate to adapt the […]
[…] William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. According to Showbiz411, Franco has written a screenplay for As I Lay Dying and has been in discussions with the Faulkner […]
[…] James Franco is set to get behind the camera and direct his first two major films.According to a report from Showbiz411, Franco is scratching both his literary and film itch. He has been in talks to write and direct a […]
[…] 2010: With a loaded schedule of unexpected projects that he’s hoping to get off the ground. According to Roger Friedman, Franco is planning to direct an adaptation of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying from his own […]