Hunter S. Thompson

Johnny Depp and Director Bruce Robinson THE RUM DIARY Interview

by Christina Radish    Posted: October 26th, 2011 at 6:49 pm

The Rum Diary was a novel written by future Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, inspired by his time in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1960, but it remained unpublished for decades until actor and close friend, Johnny Depp, accidentally discovered the manuscript while visiting Thompson’s house. That same night, they decided to publish it and adapt it into a film, turning the project into a labor of love for both Depp and filmmaker Bruce Robinson, who came out of retirement to make the movie.

During a press conference for the film’s release, Johnny Depp and Bruce Robinson talked about bringing a character to life that is loosely based on Hunter S. Thompson as a young man, prior to the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas character, the challenges of adapting the novel for the big screen, how impossible it is to get Hunter out of your blood stream once you play him, and that Hunter’s ability to voice his opinions is something that every generation should be exposed to. Depp also talked about how he’s looking forward to getting started on The Lone Ranger, now that the budget has been worked out, and that The Thin Man is in the early stages, but is coming along. Check out what they had to say after the jump.

FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Criterion Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: April 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 am

Terry Gilliam is one of the most undeniable directors to ever work in the medium. I say that in the sense that when you watch his films you feel the master’s fingerprints all over, and sometimes that makes the film a bit blurry. Gilliam is one of those directors that it is often hard to relax into because he’s so there; it’s hard to ignore what he is doing. Which is why The Fisher King strikes as one of his strongest works in the sense that it is accomplished without shoving itself down your throat. He was brought in last minute to direct an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and took the project up only to have stars Johnny Depp and Benecio Del Toro already locked in as his leads, had to rewrite everything that came before, and do it (perhaps as it should be done) as a no-holds barred, gonzo, “let’s shoot this fucker” kind of film. My review of the Criterion edition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on Blu-ray after the jump.

FilmDistrict to Release THE RUM DIARY Starring Johnny Depp on October 28th

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 29th, 2011 at 11:10 am

We haven’t heard much about Bruce Robinson’s adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary since we ran some images from the flick last June.  It was slightly worrisome that a movie that starred Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins, and Giovanni Ribisi was sitting on the shelf, but now that worry can be set aside.  FilmDistrict has announced that they have picked up the film and will release in the heart of awards season on October 28th.

The story centers on itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) who moves to Puerto Rico and eventually discovers his voice as a writer and his integrity.  Hit the jump for a full synopsis and the press release.  The only other films currently opening on October 28th are the horror flick Dibbuk Box and Andrew Niccol’s sci-fi thriller Now starring Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake.

First Images of THE RUM DIARY Starring Johnny Depp

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 18th, 2010 at 7:29 am

Today brings an early look at Johnny Depp in his second film based on a Hunter S. Thompson book, The Rum Diary.  Bruce Robinson (Withnail & I) is directing from his own script, which follows “a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean.”  Amber Heard, Giovanni Ribisi, Aaron Eckhart, and Richard Jenkins also star.  Check out the stills after the jump.

FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: February 23rd, 2010 at 6:10 am

Terry Gilliam is one of the most undeniable directors to ever work in the medium. I say that in the sense that when you watch his films you feel the master’s fingerprints all over, and sometimes that makes the film a bit blurry. Gilliam is one of those directors that it is often hard to relax into because he’s so there; it’s hard to ignore what he is doing. Which is why The Fisher King strikes as one of his strongest works in the sense that it is accomplished without shoving itself down your throat. He was brought in last minute to direct an adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and took the project up only to have stars Johnny Depp and Benecio Del Toro already locked in as his leads, had to rewrite everything that came before, and do it (perhaps as it should be done) as a no-holds barred, gonzo, “let’s shoot this fucker” kind of film. My review of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on Blu-ray after the jump.

Amber Heard Exclusive Interview: Talks THE STEPFATHER, ZOMBIELAND, and THE RUM DIARY

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 15th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

Opening tomorrow is the horror/thriller “The Stepfather”. The film is about Penn Badgley’s (“Gossip Girl”) character returning home from military school and finding his mother living with a new boyfriend. As the two men get to know one another, Badgley’s character grows suspicious. As you might imagine, action ensues. Anyway, I got to speak with Amber Heard earlier today as she plays the Penn Badgley’s girlfriend in the movie. While readers of Collider know I prefer doing video interviews, Amber was only available for phoners, so that’s how this was done.

During our short conversation, Heard talked about making “The Stepfather”, doing a cameo in “Zombieland” (she played the hot neighbor in the beginning of the film), and she also talked about playing Johnny Depp’s girlfriend in next year’s “The Rum Dairy”. Our conversation after the jump:

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