Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary" with Johnny Depp

[Octoberist]

I couldn't find the thread on this, so I'm starting one....today!

According to Variety, the film is finally out of Development Hell.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996716.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Depp will star in March as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in "The Rum Diary," an adaptation of the Thompson book that Infinitum Nihil is producing with GK Films, with King's company financing the picture. Bruce Robinson is directing his script. It's Depp's second turn in a Thompson tale; he starred in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

I can't wait!

 

[Timstuff]

There's really only one response to this that I can think of:

 

[That-Guy]

Sweet. Depp was awesome as Thompson in Fear & Loathing. Can't wait to see him play the role again.

 

[Octoberist]

i can't wait either.

It's shocking that Variety slipped this in without any noticing it.

 

[Octoberist]

Update:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51903

The Rum Diary Next for Johnny Depp?
Source: TheBadandUgly.com
January 13, 2009


First announced in May of 2005, could The Rum Diary finally be moving forward with Johnny Depp starring?

TheBadandUgly.com has received a casting announcement that suggests the Hunter S. Thompson adaptation will be Depp's next, as it lists a March 2009 start date. Depp will play Paul Kemp, a freelance journalist writing for a rundown newspaper in 1950s Puerto Rico and surrounded by a bunch of lost souls bent on self-destruction. Bruce Robinson wrote the screenplay and will direct.

Depp previously starred in the big screen adaptation of Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

The casting call is for Chenault, the love interest in "The Rum Diary," and you can read more details here!

------------------

from http://www.thebadandugly.com/2009/01/12/next-up-for-johnny-depp/

The casting call is for Chenault, the love interest in The Rum Diary, who - from the casting info - seems to just be walking sex:

THE RUM DIARY (One Role) Feature Film
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: GK FILMS & INFINITUM NIHIL
UNION: SAG
Writer/Director: Bruce Robinson Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson
Casting Director: Denise Chamian
Casting Associate: Angela Demo
NY Casting Associate: Julie Schubert
Sounds steamy….

Casting Assistant: Krysti Charron

Start Date: March 2009

SUBMIT JULIE SCHUBERT TEL: XXX-XXX-XXXX

[PAUL KEMP] -Johnny Depp

SEEKING: [CHENAULT] A beautiful, 25 year old, translucent vision from Connecticut, with a killer smile and a wry, enigmatic personality, she wears barely-there sarongs, sunbathes nude, and oozes sexuality in everything she does. She enchants and mesmerizes Kemp from the moment they meet: while both escaping a tedious, high-end party. Chenault is dating and possibly engaged to Sanderson, but clearly feels an attraction to Kemp. She’s a daredevil who loves to dance and drive fast. She gets into big trouble with a lust-crazed, violent crowd during Carnival in St. Thomas. .. LEAD. This role contains nudity.

STORY LINE: 1960: Divorced alcoholic and struggling novelist PAUL KEMP decides to kick around San Juan until his ship comes in, working as a journalist for a daily newspaper that’s on its last legs, drinking gallons of rum and experimenting with LSD. With his new friend BOB SALA by his side, he becomes entangled in a corrupt hotel development scheme with a slick PR consultant named SANDERSON, and falls in love with Sanderson’s unattainable girlfriend, CHENAULT. . .

Paul Kemp is one of the alter egos of 22-year-old Hunter S. Thompson, and the one that Johnny Depp will be inhabiting for the film (Johnny Depp as 22? We’ll worry about that later).

Word on the production street is that Krysti Charron, the casting assistant is partial to Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johannson, but readings for this role will probably include a swath of relatively unknowns.

No one has yet been cast, but when they are, expect The Rum Diary to start spinning it’s wheels.

 

[Octoberist]

By the way, since The Rum Diary is a work of fiction (unlike most of Thompson's other books), I think Depp could play a slightly older Paul Kemp. And it doesn't hurt that Depp still looks very young for his age. Hell, Pitt is now showing signs (while aging well too) while Depp must have drank from the Holy Grail.

 

[Figs]

Octoberist, since you just now brought this to my attention.

You say that the Rum Diaries is a work of fiction.

Do you know that when writing it if Thompson has this Kemp character based on him in some way?

I didn't know this book was fiction, I thought it would be more like Fear and Loathing with Depp still playing Thompson.

 

[Octoberist]

yeah it's a novel.

However, it's based on Thompson's very own experiences, so it was influenced by real live events in his life, but it's not a work of non-fiction like 'Hell's Angels'.

But Paul Kemp is pretty much Hunter S. Thompson, however.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Wow, so this is like an unofficial Fear and Loathing sequel? If that's the case, I'm there.

 

[Octoberist]

all they need is Benico Del Toro (playing a different character, however)

 

[cryptic name]

looking forward to this

 

[cerealkiller182]

I recently saw Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S Thompson, and Depp was reading parts of one of the books Hells Angels i think. Pretty good stuff. Depp has been talking about Rum Diary for a long time now, I hope he can get it going soon.

 

[Maximus One]

Wow! I really hope this happens Fear and Loathing is one of my all time favs!

 

[Octoberist]

i hope so too. with Public Enemies and this, along with Terry Giliam's latest movie, I just hope that Depp takes a brake from Burton.

 

[Maximus One]

Amen Brotha!!

 

[Joker]

This is finally being made? Thank you god!

 

[Octoberist]

Johnny on the set in Miami.

http://www.latinoreview.com/news/im...-next-to-his-right-and-hang-out-with-him-6466

 

[Octoberist]

More pics:

http://johnny-depp.org/galleries/appearances/2009/03/27/

 

[Eggyman]

Love the book, can't wait for the film!

Nice pics, Tober.

 

[gohei_]

There's really only one response to this that I can think of:

That was f-ing awesome t: And I actually thought "The Rum Diary" was a spin-off with Jack Sparrow t: haha

 

[ross2287]

Wow, so this is like an unofficial Fear and Loathing sequel? If that's the case, I'm there.

Technically, "The Rum Diary" was written years before "Fear and Loathing" so if anything it'd be a prequel. But I don't think it needs to be tied to "Fear and Loathing" (book or movie) in anyway. This isn't like the continuing adventures of Raoul Duke, it's the adventure of Paul Kemp.

In fact, it might be better if this has nothing to do with "Fear and Loathing."

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Yeah I know, but Depp playing another Hunter S. Thompson character kinda makes it an unofficial Fear and Loathing sequel...

 

[ross2287]

Yeah I know, but Depp playing another Hunter S. Thompson character kinda makes it an unofficial Fear and Loathing sequel...

Or unofficial prequel.

 

[Octoberist]

it makes me think if Depp is going to have that "Hunter S. Thompson' dialect, since after all, the character of Paul Kemp is still based on him.

 

[cerealkiller182]

He should. If he doesnt the movie will almost undoubtedly not be as good as it could be.