Has it really been almost decade since Terry Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote fell apart? How time flies.
Well it now looks like Gilliam is about to get Don Quixote back in the saddle (albeit without Johnny Depp), and it looks like acting legend Robert Duvall could be replacing original lead Jean Rochefort in the adaptation of Cervantes’ iconic tale.
It has been a long and winding road for Gilliam, who has been trying to get Quixote onto to the big screen for well over ten years. The original film fell apart due to Rochefort falling ill, but the film was plagued by all sorts of problems ranging from floods to financing difficulties. To find out more about Gilliam’s first crack at making The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, check out the fantastic documentary Lost In La Mancha.
The intervening years have been filled with Gilliam trying to get the rights to the film back from the film’s insurers and producers and attempting to raise funds for the feature. When he finally snagged the rights the visionary director began a new draft of the script with writer Tony Grisoni. Earlier in the year, it was reported that Johnny Depp’s busy schedule meant that he wouldn’t be returning the long-gestating project.
Collider recently spoke with Robert Duvall about his forthcoming music drama, Crazy Heart (starring Jeff Bridges) and Duvall spilled the beans that he’s been talking to Gilliam about starring in the film.
Below is an excerpt of Collider’s Interview with Duvall.
“Duvall: I may work with Terry Gilliam next – if they get the money – to play Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Really
Duvall: In Europe. In Spain.
He told me about the project. That would be amazing.
Duvall: Totally amazing to work with Terry Gilliam. But, once again, the money. It’s so difficult to get the money. He saw me play a Cuban barber one time with Richard Harris and that’s what gave him the idea to cast me as Don Quixote”
With Depp out of the picture and funding an issue it looks like Gilliam will be looking for a “name” actor to fill Depp’s shoes.
Rochefort as Gilliam’s original Quixote
Following The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus I wouldn’t be surprised if Gilliam gave Colin Farrell or Jude Law a call, considering that they are now about the same age Depp was a decade or so ago.
More on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote when we get it.
