That adaptation of Infinite Jest that I wrote about two years ago? Variety says it’s still in early production, despite DFW’s agent saying that the option ran out. I’ve read a draft of Keith Bunin’s screenplay and though it was well-written, I didn’t particularly like it. (Although if the rumor about a Jon Brion score is true, that would fit nicely.)

It’s been awhile since I read the draft, but I wasn’t a fan of it because it focused on the global crisis aspect of the novel, and left out what I think is the emotional heart of the book. I vastly preferred the approach of Matt Earp’s stage version that he wrote and directed at Wesleyan in March of 2001, which concentrated on the students at the tennis academy, Hal, Madame Psychosis, and Mario. I drove from Boston to see that play and it was worth it. Here’s a picture of the Eschaton scene from Matt’s play, and here’s a summary I wrote about it eight years ago.

Hollywood: option Matt’s play and build it into a feature, and then have him write a second feature that focuses on Gately. Or better yet, make it a cable TV miniseries.