Though it’s certainly one of the more high profile indie projects to come along in quite some time, the first feature film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s seminal tome On the Road has only now secured domestic distribution. IFC Films and Sundance Selects have acquired the distribution rights to director Walter Salles’ adaptation, with a theatrical release planned for sometime this fall.  Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, and Sam Riley front the all-star cast that also includes Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, and Elizabeth Moss.

I was a big fan of the first trailer, so I’m eager to check the full film out later this year.  On the Road will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next week, so we’ll have the first reactions/reviews soon.  Hit the jump to watch the trailer for the film.

From the press release, Josh Sapan, CEO and President of AMC Networks said of the film:

“Walter Salles has made an ambitious and accomplished film

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out of Jack Kerouac’s iconic novel. It’s a classic road movie with career-making performances from Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley, and a terrific showcase for Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst. This exceptional piece of filmmaking is the cinematic equivalent to the ground-breaking original content that our company produces for its networks.”

Here’s the synopsis for On the Road:

After the death of his father, Sal Paradise, an aspiring New York writer, meets Dean Moriarty, a wild and infectiously charismatic ex-con. They hit it off immediately. Determined to avoid the pitfalls of a narrow, prescribed life, Sal hits the road, joining Dean on what evolves into a life-changing physical and emotional odyssey. Thirsting for freedom, they discover the world, the ecstasy of experience, the connectedness of humanity and ultimately themselves.

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