Dunces in Hell

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." - Jonathan Swift

While there is good reason for comedy fans to be excited about the casting of Zach Galifianakis in the lead role of an adaptation of John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces, fans of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel can be forgiven for remaining somewhat skeptical. 

Few literary adaptations have seen as many false starts as those of Toole's novel, which documents the adventures of  buffoonish New Orleans native Ignatius J. Reilly. The casting of Galifianakis in the lead role seems perfect; while his star has risen dramatically in comedic roles over the last few years, his acting chops will be sincerely tested playing such a highly idiosyncratic character. Along with rumors that co-creator of hilarious cult hit Flight of the Concords James Bobin is being asked to direct, there is a great deal of comedic talent on-board for the film already. The real question, however, is whether the picture will actually be made.

Even among productions of other films which have been relegated to "development hell", adaptations of Dunces have suffered to the degree the script is jokingly regarded as cursed by those in the industry. The inspired choices above are but the latest in a long line of comedic stars, often among the most popular in the business, who have been attached to a production of the novel since it was published in 1980. By 2003, the apparent curse on the film was widely known, as Variety's Marc Graser suggested that, in having been "orphaned" by three movie studies up to that point in time, Dunces converging subplots and eccentric characters were largely responsible for giving studios cold feet. Graser mentions in the article that acclaimed director Steven Sodenbergh, attached to the film several times since 1993, was on board to executive produce an adaptation of Dunces. Along with Sodenbergh, movie stars Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Mos Def and Sharon Stone were in casting talks for the film. This was 2003. Nearly four years later, the exact same group of names were still attached to an adaptation of the film, which became yet another version which was never made. 

While many fans are undoubtedly frustrated by the troubles that have greeted those who have attempted to adapt the novel, some find it oddly fitting that a novel which barely saw the light of day in the first place should endure so many false starts in its film production. In describing Toole's masterpiece as always having been "shrouded in heartbreak", Peter Hyman details the novel's origins:

"Its publication came 11 years after author John Kennedy Toole committed suicide at the age of 32, and it reached print only because of the singular persistence of his mother, who harassed novelist Walker Percy so intently that he finally agreed to read the lone ink-smudged manuscript in her possession. Duly impressed, Percy handed the pages over to the LSU Press, insisting that they publish the book. The first run was a measly 800 copies. Nearly half of those were sent to (Scott) Kramer, who pitched these now-rare first editions around Hollywood, most of which probably ended up in trash bins. A year later, Dunces won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Today, it stands as one of the most revered comic works in the modern canon."

It would seem that the slim chance that Dunces had of even being published in the first place has seemingly been repeated ever since. As Hyman mentions, comedic legends like John Belushi, Richard Pryor, John Candy and Chris Farley have all been attached to the project, providing ample conjecture for those fans of conspiracies. 

Now Mr. Galifianakis, may I suggest purchasing a rabbit's foot?

(Non-linked sources)

Graser, Marc. "Who'll Wear 'Dunces' Cap?." Variety 392.5 (2003): 3.MasterFILE Premier. Web. 3 June 2012.