Yesterday, news broke that Nebraska director Alexander Payne was in talks with Fox Searchlight Pictures to adapt Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s final article for The New Yorker, titled “The Judge’s Will.”
ComingSoon.net got a chance to talk to Payne today about Nebraska and we asked him if he would start pre-production on the new project soon. “‘The Judge’s Will’ is a beautiful story I optioned a few months ago,” Payne said. “Why it came to light this week that I optioned it, I have no idea. Somebody showed me an article, ‘Oh, Payne in talks.’ No, Im not! I have no idea what I’m going to do next. Thats all wrong. The curtain of truth is that I optioned that story, but I don’t know when I’m gonna do it.”
Payne’s films are heartfelt, but also very funny. “The Judge’s Will,” however, doesnt seem to have much room for comedy. “Yeah, I don’t know,” he added. “Who knows? I’ve got to write it first! I just thought it was a good jumping off point for a potential future movie.”
The article, which ran just a week before Jhabvala’s death, relates the true story of a judge in Delhi who, in his final days, is forced to finally explain to his wife that a secret mistress will be included in his will. You can read the full story by clicking here.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
