OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
It was announced today at CinemaCon, by Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution that FilmDistrict will release “The Rum Diary,” based on the early Hunter S. Thompson novel that was ultimately published in 1998. It stars Johnny Depp and will be released on October 28, 2011. The film is directed by Bruce Robinson (“Withnail and I”) from his own screenplay and also stars Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins and Giovanni Ribisi. “The Rum Diary” is produced by Infinitum Nihil, the production company headed by Depp and Christi Dembrowski, along with Graham King and Tim Headington. Anthony Rhulen and Robert Kravis also produce.
“The Rum Diary” tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Depp). Tired of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local San Juan newspaper run by the downtrodden editor Lotterman (Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked lifestyle of the late ‘50s version of Hemingway’s “The Lost Generation,” Paul soon becomes entangled with a very attractive American woman, Chenault (Heard) and her fiancée Sanderson (Eckhart), a businessman involved in shady property development deals. It is within this world that Kemp ultimately discovers his true voice as a writer and integrity as a man.
“Hunter S. Thompson became close with Johnny Depp during the filming of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and showed Depp the unpublished manuscript for The Rum Diary,” says producer and FilmDistrict co-founder Graham King. “I am extremely proud to bring this novel to film and to honor Hunter’s legacy.”
Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict and President of GK Films, says, “The Rum Diary” is a special project for all of us here, as it is a true collaboration between both of our entities. Depp gives an extraordinary performance in this remarkable adaptation.”
“Robinson directed one of my favorite films, “Withnail and I” – combine that with Hunter S. Thompson and it’s a match made in celluloid heaven,” says Bob Berney, President of Distribution, FilmDistrict.
“The Rum Diary” is a GK Films, Infinitum Nihil and Film Engine production produced by Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis, Tim Headington and Graham King.
Totally Gonzo 
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Just read The Rum Diary and it was excellent (or course), if somewhat depressing (the booze, the anomie and weird, 50’s sexual attitudes, esp. toward women. This film seems perfectly cast, except that Depp will have to undergo quite the transformation (as in: beyond Edward Scissorhands or even George Jung) to be believable as Paul Kemp; the guy is an amoral sleaze! At least coke-dealer Jung had ideals.). My one complaint is that they merged Sanderson & Yeamon (so I read–probably on IMDb). Yeamon was despicable, pathetic, unhinged, yet much more the “heart” of the story than Kemp.
Also, Kemp simply seems to stand on the sidelines (as who would not?) observing the chaos and corrupition, and being HST’s alter-ego, naturally gets swept up into it, but always as a tag-along guy, a wingman or sometimes unwitting foil to the assorted crazies who make up the “despicable” (Thompson’s description) Americans and other rum-soaked, drug-crazed locals.
I am a huge fan of the doctor and am grateful Johnny appreciates the same. With his talents (Depp) can bring to life what has been apparently been discarded and forgotten by the mainstream and give the doctor his due. It’s gratifying to see the guy who once said “you cannot keep serving up the same dish” return to his original intent before he hit it big. Many thanks J.D.
I value the piece, I hope you publish more.