Hiking can be a great elixir when it comes to sorting out life’s problems. But will it make for great cinematic entertainment? We will find out when Fox Searchlight releases Wild in December 2014.
Based on Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling memoir, a book that has sold millions of copies, has been an official selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and discussed by hundreds, if not thousands, of different reading groups, the story deals with a rash decision Cheryl makes after years of recklessness. With no experience and sheer determination she decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. All one-thousand plus miles of it.
The adaptation was shot by Jean-Marc Vallée, who recently directed Matthew McConaughey to his Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club. Reese Witherspoon, who has hit a plateau in terms of parts being offered, looks to get back to work in a big way with this and Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Inherent Vice.
Nick Hornby, famed author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, handles the adaptation. His last adapted screenplay was for Lynn Barber’s memoir, An Education, which had a breakthrough performance from Carey Mulligan.
Wild will open in select theaters beginning December 5, 2014.