In the 40 years since the gothic western novel’s release, an adaptation of The Hawkline Monster has been sought after and abandoned by numerous filmmakers and now New Regency has begun talks with The Favourite‘s Yorgos Lanthimos to helm the long-gestating adaptation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film will be produced by Roy Lee (It), Andrew Trapani (Winchester) and Steven Schneider (Pet Sematary) alongside Lanthimos, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Element Pictures.
New Regency, who has enjoyed a critically successful past two years with the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, Golden Globe-nominated Little Women and acclaimed sci-fi drama Ad Astra and A24 psychological thriller The Lighthouse, acquired the rights to Brautigan’s novel in June.
The first attempt to adapt the novel came shortly after its release when Hal Ashby and Nicholson set to star, but yet again the project failed to gain momentum.