'Wild': The movie adaptation moves forward
Actress Reese Witherspoon is set to star as author Cheryl Strayed, and Strayed says writer Nick Hornby is on board to write the adaptation.
Actress Reese Witherspoon (l.) is set to star as writer Cheryl Strayed, and Strayed says author Nick Hornby (r.) is on board as screenwriter for the film.
L: Lionel Cironneau/AP R: Stephen Hyde/Penguin Young Readers Group/PR Newswire
The movie plans for an adaptation of “Wild,” the bestselling memoir by Cheryl Strayed about her solo journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, are moving forward, with “About A Boy” screenwriter Nick Hornby possibly on board to write the film.
The movie rights to “Wild” were bought by actress Reese Witherspoon’s production company Pacific Standard as well as by producer Bruna Papandrea, and Witherspoon is set to star as Strayed in the movie. Meanwhile, Strayed tweeted on Nov. 7, “Nick Hornby's desktop: Wild script in progress. (Squeal!)” with a link to what was presumably a photo. (The link is broken.)
“I couldn't be more thrilled," Strayed told the Oregonian when it was announced that Witherspoon will be bringing the movie to the screen and playing her. "She's such a wonderful combination of smart and charming. I really feel like she saw my vision and is the perfect person to bring it to the screen. If a genie gave me three wishes about who would play the part, she would be my first wish.”
Witherspoon was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 2005 film “Walk the Line,” in which she portrayed June Carter Cash, and recently played a lead role – that of circus performer Marlena – in another high-profile adaptation, that of the Sara Gruen novel “Water for Elephants.”
Hornby is the author of the novels “Juliet, Naked,” “High Fidelity” and “Fever Pitch” and wrote the screenplay for the 2009 Oscar-nominated film “An Education,” which starred Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. He is also writing the screenplay for the film “Brooklyn,” which is slated for a 2014 release and set to star “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” actress Rooney Mara.
“Wild,” which was selected by Oprah Winfrey as a book club pick, is currently at number 15 on the combined print and e-book nonfiction New York Times bestseller list for Nov. 11 and at number 9 on the e-book nonfiction list for the same week. The book was number one on the the combined print and e-book nonfiction list for six weeks starting July 22.