Hunter S Thompson's THE RUM DIARY w/ Johnny Depp

[Story]

Johnny Depp left his hotel in Puerto Rico earlier today and headed over to the set of The Rum Diary.

http://www.screeninglog.com/journal/2009/4/16/johnny-depp-driving-classic-car-on-rum-diary-set.html

Someone just sent me the book and it's surprisingly good. Interesting that this project started in 2003, when HST was still alive. Too bad Thompson checked himself out early.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3404272/

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - It was 1959. Fired for kicking in a candy machine at a small-town newspaper, Hunter S. Thompson fled to Puerto Rico, where his vagrant journalist lifestyle inspired his first novel, “The Rum Diary.”

Thompson's boozy year marked by cockfights, bowling alleys and pursuit of the governor’s daughter is now being made into a movie, starring Johnny Depp, who first portrayed the legendary cult writer in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”.

“I didn’t know Johnny Depp could act until he played me,” said Thompson, 66, during a telephone interview from his home in Woody Creek, Colo. Puerto Rican native Benicio Del Toro makes his directing debut, and Nick Nolte and Josh Hartnett co-star. Shooting is scheduled to start in December.

 

[dr greg]

guilt by association

Can I just casually mention that I met HST once? Got an autographed copy of Campaign Trail to prove it.

 

[Charlie Noodles]

Can I just casually mention that I met HST once? Got an autographed copy of Campaign Trail to prove it.

Cool stuff. I didn't even know who he was until well after his death. I'm reading "Kingdom of Fear" right now.

 

[dr greg]

loco local

Actually it was at Melbourne Town Hall in 1976

 

[Story]

While I've never been a fan of the drug culture, I first read Fear & Loathing on the road to Las Vegas when I was about 15. I laughed myself sick : since then, I think I've given away about half a dozen copies.

Additional set pics -
http://www.thebadandugly.com/2009/04/14/depp-goes-fiat-500-for-rum-diary/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...Thompson-life-film-version-The-Rum-Diary.html

 

[Jay]

I never thought this would end up getting made. Nice to see they finally got around to it. Hopefully it'll live up to the book.

 

[Mahagonny Bill]

I saw Hunter speak in 1986. He was 9 days + 2 hours late to the gig.

I like Johnny Depp as Hunter, but I think "Where the Buffalo Roam" is a better movie than "Fear and Loathing". I'm a big Gilliam fan, but he took a book that is supposed to be a 20th century american fantasy and made it into a horror movie. "Where the Buffalo Roam" is a lot more fun.

 

[DanielJones]

I'm looking forward to this one. It might not be as out there as Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas but it should prove very interesting.

So it appears that it will be directed & the screenplay done by Bruce Robinson. The only one I remember him directing is Jennifer 8, a little mind bender from the early 90's. Hope he does justice to it.

With talents like Depp, Ribisi & Eckhart it should be pretty decent in a depraved way.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[MisterCairo]

I'm looking forward to this one. It might not be as out there as Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas but it should prove very interesting.

So it appears that it will be directed & the screenplay done by Bruce Robinson. The only one I remember him directing is Jennifer 8, a little mind bender from the early 90's. Hope he does justice to it.

With talents like Depp, Ribisi & Eckhart it should be pretty decent in a depraved way.

Cheers!

Dan

Bruce Robinson was Oscar nominated for his screenplay for The Killing Fields. Also, he is the writer and director of my favourite film, Withnail & I (1986), a cult classic.

I have less than zero interest in Thompson's drug addled work, but I'll see this only because of Robinson's involvement.

 

[Talbot]

Brilliant letter from HST outlining the difficulties of getting the film made.

Warning - typically sharp language from HST so don't read if you're easily offended.

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/09/okay-you-lazy-bitch.html

Talbot

 

[DanielJones]

I like his style.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Talbot]

Don't we all.

 

[Story]

Brilliant letter from HST outlining the difficulties of getting the film made.

Thanks for the laugh, that one got forwarded.

 

[rustedmetal]

Anybody know where I can get Depp's jacket from the movie?

Is it a two-tone ricky? Thanks for the help

 

[Bustercat]

About time.

I saw Hunter speak in 1986. He was 9 days + 2 hours late to the gig.

I like Johnny Depp as Hunter, but I think "Where the Buffalo Roam" is a better movie than "Fear and Loathing". I'm a big Gilliam fan, but he took a book that is supposed to be a 20th century american fantasy and made it into a horror movie. "Where the Buffalo Roam" is a lot more fun.

Don't know about it being a better movie, but Murray did a better thompson. More awkward clever jock and less goofy cartoon character.
You didn't find the book dark? The stuff about gluing eyelids shut, and how wretched everthing in the book gets after the hotel?
I never thought it was about fantasy as much as a grim discovery.

 

[Chas]

Anybody know where I can get Depp's jacket from the movie?

Is it a two-tone ricky? Thanks for the help

Uhhh. Yeah. A really nice one, too. The elastic at the back has gone, like most of them, but yes, it certainly appears to be one. You might be able to find one somewhere, but expect to pay top $$ for it. I don't know of any companies that make repros, but somebody should. I'll bet ya it's reversible as well. Very nice.