A Confederacy of Dunces

[BillBrasky]

Release Date: TBA
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: James Bobin
Screenwriter: Phil Johnston
Starring: Zach Galifianakis
Genre: Comedy

Plot Summary: Based on John Kennedy Toole's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a slovenly 30-something who, living with his mother, sets out to find a job in New Orleans' French Quarter. Thinking himself a highly-educated genius, Reilly's quixotic nature serves as a sharp contrast to the various souls he encounters.

The acclaimed novel was published in 1980, more than a decade after the death of the author. Suffering from depression, Toole committed suicide in 1969 but, thanks to the determined work of his mother, his manuscript found its way into the hands of author Walker Percy, who was instrumental in bringing Toole's book to print.


I read this book in college and I didn't really find it all that funny. It became very repetitive about halfway through the book and it was just kind of the same thing over and over again. I mean, I got the joke that Reilly is an obnoxious blowhard that thinks he's better than everyone else, but it was a pretty long book to sustain that one joke.

That being said, this is a pretty good role for Zach to play, as he can do unearned pomposity very well (his character in "Due Date" was about as irritating as I remember the character in this book being). Bobin being the director makes me a little more hopeful too.

32 years is a long time from the publication of a book to making a movie based on it. It reminds me of the discussion of "Catcher in the Rye" this week on NNF and why they haven't ever made a movie based on it. I think PFT joked on one of the Dead Authors Podcasts as H.G. Wells- "The book has inspired a lot of psychopaths to go out and try to kill famous people, why don't they make a movie out of it and allow some ILLiterate people to be similarly inspired?"

[Dogwelder]

If I recall correctly, didn't Zach actually buy the rights to this? I think I remember some interview where he said that was one of the first things he did with his Hangover money. Definitely a passion project for him, and he really should be great at the part.

[Mayonegg]

Oh fuck.

I remember rumors that Will Ferrell was going to play Ignatius, which would have been awesome, but Zach sounds great, too. I wonder if Ignatius will still be giant.

[A_S]

I loved the book. The first time I read it, I was in high school and Mr. Show was still on and I always imagined David Cross playing Ignatius based on his snob character (this guy). But that was a long time ago and David and I are both probably too old now and everyone's going to die soon anyway, probably, so whatever. I like Zach though.

[aenemaTron]

I mean, I got the joke that Reilly is an obnoxious blowhard that thinks he's better than everyone else, but it was a pretty long book to sustain that one joke.

That isn't a joke, it's a character. And Reilly is the most famous aspect of the book but there are a lot of other interesting characters in it. It might seem passé due to its influence on modern comedy, but I think Zach might be the perfect person for the role and if they give free rein to a visually inventive director it could be epic and amazing.

[GeorgeTirebiter]

I'll believe it when I see it on the big screen.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...of_dunces.html

[Phil]

This book has been on my wishlist for years. Guess it's about time I dig in.

[dorothy mantooth]

I hope it is "cursed" ala Don Quixote. Some things are better left alone. (e.g. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Still haven't forgiven Krasinski for that horrific abortion.)

[aenemaTron]

I hope it is "cursed" ala Don Quixote. Some things are better left alone. (e.g. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Still haven't forgiven Krasinski for that horrific abortion.)

how about just don't see it ya drungus