Gore Verbinksi to Adapt 'Pyongyang'
by Zack Wells
Move over Tim Burton! Could someone else have their eyes set on Johnny Depp?
Gore Verbinski, director of various Depp-featured films, such as “The Lone Ranger”, “Rango”, and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, is set to direct and produce a live action adaptation of the graphic novel “Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea” by French-Canadian author Guy Delisle.
Verbinski and his production company Blink Wink (the company behind the Oscar-winning “Rango”) are teaming up with New Regency, as announced today, to adapt the acclaimed graphic novel into a dark comedy film.
Screenwriter Steve Conrad, who scripted “The Pursuit of Happyness” and the upcoming Ben Stiller directed flick “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, is set to pen this adaptation.
“Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea” is based on the real-life experiences of author Guy Delisle. The story follows a young French-Canadian animator who is sent to North Korea in order to represent his company, only to be eventually accused of espionage in the totalitarian nation. The graphic novel focuses on the difficulties of outsourcing and dealing with the North Korean bureaucracy.
Given Gore Verbinski’s habit of casting Johnny Depp rivaling even that of Tim Burton, will an appearance by the Oscar nominated actor be likely? Perhaps it is time for Depp to brush up on his Québécois accent.
Do not miss out on the latest Verbinski and Depp collaboration “The Lone Ranger”, opening in theaters nationwide on July 3rd, 2013.