Scribe to try hand at directing…
THR has learned that actor-turned-screenwriter Danny Strong (‘Justified,’ ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Pleasantville’) is stepping behind the camera to make his directorial debut with ‘ Salinger’s War,’ a biopic of ‘Catcher in the Rye’ author J.D. Salinger.
‘Salinger’s War’ follows the reclusive writer “from his early days trying to establish his career in New York’s literary circle in the early 1940’s. After numerous rejections, he finally finds his voice writing about a character named Holden Caulfield. Right as his career is about to begin, WWII breaks out and Salinger goes off to fight. His experiences at war forever change him, and help him to finally find his voice as a writer.”
Strong, who penned Lee Daniel’s ‘The Butler,’ optioned the book ‘JD Salinger: A Life’ by Kenneth Slawensk with his own money, and wrote the script on spec.
Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill will produce along with Bruce Cohen, Jason Schuman and Strong.
Strong is possibly best remembered for playing Jonathan in ‘Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.’ His screenwriting credits include ‘Game Change,’ ‘Recount,’ and ‘The Hunger Games – Mockingjay’ parts 1 and 2.