Herzog to Direct 'Vernon God Little' Adaptation

There’s one director that you can always count on to deliver, whether it’s drinking wine from a shoe, making gripping dramas or moving documentaries.  Now word is out that the ever prolific and always-fantastic Werner Herzog has signed on for his next directorial project.  Variety reports that the German film legend will be taking the reins for Vernon God Little, based on DBC Pierre’s Booker Prize winning 2003 novel of the same name.

Seasoned writer Andrew Birkin (The Name of the Rose, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer) has adapted the screenplay.

Pierre’s novel follows the story of Vernon, a troubled Texas teenager whose best friend goes on a rampage and murders sixteen bullying classmates. After suspicion begins to come back around on Vernon he flees to Mexico to escape the death penalty.

The book’s complex young protagonist and nuanced portrayal of the rest of the world’s fascination with America has earned much praise since its release and should fit nicely with Herzog and Birkin.

It’s nice to see Herzog stepping away from the documentaries for a just little bit to do a good piece of dramatic black comedy.  Not that there’s a thing wrong at all with Cave of Forgotten Dreams or Grizzly Man.

I already have high hopes for this project and so far have no reason to think anything less.  There’s no word yet on when things are going to get rolling but hopefully we’ll see casting rumors coming around the bend soon.