It was reported back in 2008 that Max Allan Collins, writer of the graphic novel Road to Perdition had written a screenplay based on the follow up graphic novel Road To Purgatory. At the time, he also planned to direct the project. Movie Web recently had the opportunity to ask him about the projects progress.
Is there anything you can tell us about the status of Road to Purgatory? We reported on it a few years ago that you were adapting your own graphic novel and were directing the film. Is there anything you can tell us about that?
Max Allan Collins: Well, I can only tease, I'm afraid. We seem to be right on the brink, or maybe it's the precipice, I don't know (Laughs), of a deal being signed. Things have gotten very, very serious and I have, for years, held onto it as a project I would direct, because I have directed five independent films. It does look like, now, that I won't be directing, but it is my script. That's the most important thing to me, that the material be faithfully rendered. That isn't to say that you have to do it absolutely faithfully. There certainly are differences between my graphic novel and Road to Perdition, but the spirit of the story is there. Mendes really got it and understood it and, I think that, in some ways, enhanced it.
Can you tell us who will be directing this then?
Max Allan Collins: I don't know. We've been approached and the offer seems to be very, very serious. We have signed a round of paper but it is not nailed down yet and it looks to be pretty interesting. I will tell you that this will happen about 10 years after Perdition ends. Michael is 10 years older in Road to Purgatory.
Hawksblueyes: I for one hope this comes to pass. RTP was and is one of my favorite adaptations to see the light of day.