The Monkey Wrench Gang: The Movie

Matthew McConaughey, Jack Nicholson and more to star in a Hollywood adaptation of the Edward Abbey classic

In the annals of bad Hollywood ideas, classic novels rank just under video games as most-often-butchered source material. Throw another log onto the fire, and get ready for the eco-backlash: Hollywood has decided to adapt Edward Abbey's classic enviro novel The Monkey Wrench Gang for a 2010 release.

Right now, details don't go much further than whispered rumors, but Matthew McConaughey, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss, John Goodman, and Elizabeth Shue are slated to star, and Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke will direct. (Now I guess we know why Hardwicke bailed so quickly from the wildly popular teen vampire saga, although I suppose it's possible she left because she suddenly realized Twilight sucks.)

McConaughey will presumably star as eco-warrior George Hayduke, ann ex-Green Beret who leads a ragtag group of nature lovers and miscreants as they concoct schemes to sabotage those who threaten their beloved desert backcountry. The novel is widely credited with inspiring real-life eco-defense movements like Animal Liberation Front and Earth First!

No telling whether this movie will inspire new legions of earth warriors, but it's a pretty bold move from usually timid Hollywood producers, assuming they don't grind the material into tasteless pablum. Then again, maybe it'll end up like Into The Wild—classy, faithful, and largely ignored by those who weren't already fans of the book.

What do you think? Will this movie raise Abbey's spirit from the dead, or simply make him roll in his grave? Tell us in the comments section below.

—Ted Alvarez

Monkey Wrench Gang: The Movie (Cold Splinters)

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READERS COMMENTS

McConaughey as Heyduke???!! You gotta be fucking kidding me!! Ten years or so ago, when there were similar rumors of making this movie, Woody Harrelson was slated to be George. A MCUH better choice.

I think that this could be a great movie. Much of the book reads like a movie. But, Hollywood will no doubt fuck it up. Too bad, because I think with the right director, screen writer & cast it could be great.
Posted: Jan 11, 2012 Rudolph the Red

Hollywood will just water down this great story. I hope I'm wrong,but I think I'm not. Either way it doesn't matter because the book will always be great.
Posted: Dec 20, 2011 mokidugway22

Ah, Hell's Fuck !
Posted: Oct 14, 2011 cabron

Please don't make this movie!! It goes against all that Edward abbey stood for and believed!! Hollywood is going to bend the monkey wrench gang over and fuck them in the ass!! All I can hope for is that something happens to the movie and it never sees the light of day!!

Also to the ignorant fuck mislabeling the ALF, read their guidelines, there is a strict policy of non-violence towards any living being, human or non- human animals (disgusting vivisectionist scum and animal killers included)!! Same with the ELF, they operate under the same guidelines, to cause economic damage to those who profit from the exploitation of animals and the earth!! Anyways, read up before you talk about something, otherwise you just sound like a fucking idiot!!

Reading the monkey wrench gang opened my eyes and changed my life and I don't want to see the importance of it's message swallowed up and vomitted back up as watered down Hollywood garbage to be sensationalized and swept under the carpet when the hype dies down!!

"live free or fucking die!"
GWH
By any means necessary, no compromise in defense of mother earth!!

Please don't make the movie
Posted: Oct 03, 2011 Please dont

Help us bring this feature documentary to you! We could sure use some support.

Edward Abbey's novel, The Monkey Wrench Gang is the unifying thread of this character driven documentary currently in post-production. Lines Across the Sand (working title) offers a penetrating look at the environmental plight of the American Southwest, with a caustic sense of humor reminiscent of Abbey himself.
Created by Edward Abbey in his infamous novel The Monkey Wrench Gang, Doc Sarvis, Bonnie Abzug, Seldom Seen Smith and George Washington Hayduke were determined to resist the development of their beloved wilderness by any means necessary. Lines Across the Sand, from the heart of the Southwest, checks in on the �real� gang; Abbey�s friends and cohorts - the inspirations for this audacious American classic.
The film follows these characters as they relate their own bold adventures in the wilderness with similar humor, integrity and quirky contradictions as Abbey.
Importantly, the film explores the legacy of The Monkey Wrench Gang and the relevancy of monkeywrenching within the current environmental movement. Ultimately posing the question, has the political climate post - 9/11 changed the face of civil disobedience forever? www.linesacrossthesand.com
www.facebook.com/linesacrossthesand

Posted: Jul 29, 2011 Lines Across the Sand

Oh pleaze dear Gawd, let this movie be made and released before the end of the world on Dec. 21st 2012. And I pray that Hollywood duhzent fuck it up to badley. Why not film it in Aridzona and Utah and use the actual locations in these magnificent states? There's nothing like the beauty of these settings anywhere in New Mexico. I know that for a fact, being a life long resident of Aridzona and traveling extensively throughout the Great Southwest for the past 58 years. (Buy the way, I've read this book 13 times since 1976, and often use quotes from it on river and backing trips.) As Abbey might of said, "Best damn book I ever had the pleasure of reading."
All hail the MWG! Peace and love to all of my brothers and sisters who love the beautiful Southwest.
Posted: Mar 31, 2011 Pablo Kruze

Has the movie been made yet? No? Yes? I don't care who stars in it or who directs it or who is the producer...wait, maybe I do care. I always figured it would be a Brockhiemer production with Bruce Willis having a role but that was 10 years ago. I don't care anymore. Damn it, I just want to see the greatest book I ever read, written by my favorite writer, made into a great movie. Haven't we all waited long enough?
Posted: Dec 23, 2010 brev

Just make the damn movie already!
Posted: Dec 23, 2010 brev

Make the damn movie already! Or I will throw empty beer cans on your website!
Posted: Nov 20, 2010 James

The Monkey Wrench Gang is a great adventure story...and that is all it is! For people who love Earth and want to protect it, this story gives them hope and energy. It's been credited to have inspired the Earth First! group. But in the end nether Abbey nor Dave Foreman (co-founder of Earth First!) support the radical actions portrayed in the story (I know, you hardcore Earth First!ers have disowned Foreman, but you are very very very very few, and Foreman has done more good since leaving Earth First! than all of Earth First!ers have ever done). The story is an expression of hatred toward development in Abbey's Mecca. The want to physically stop the harm. Just like a junior high child dreaming of punching the big bully. But in the end, the physical violence only creates a small sense of satisfaction, but does nothing to stop the evil. That is way it should be left to fiction, where it can give satisfaction to many, and open the minds of many who would never actually do physical action. Which is exactly what Abbey would have wanted! So, Matthew McConaughey is perfect. He is well known and loved. He also looks the part, slender and muscular (sorry but Joe Black does not fit at all). Also, Hayduke, if anyone remembers, is not necessarily a "good" guy. Who wants a completely irresponsible, unreliable co-worker/friend. And the way I remember it, Doc is the leader. Even if you diehard lovers don't think the movie will be radical enough, just remember, any media is good media! But we will all have to wait and see. It has been a long time coming!
Posted: Aug 22, 2010 Anonymous

Finally some hard info from the producers of the MWG film at this link:

http://www.matterdaily.org/books/143-bob-dylan-and-the-monkey-wrench-gang.html
Posted: Jul 19, 2010 Steve

Once again Hollywood is on the loose, It is guaranteed that they will mess it up. You can't count on Eddie Vedder and Sean Penn to make unbelievable and spiritual movies and music every time. I am sure that this will be like the movie being being filmed, 127 hours made for the folks to see nature through the T.V. Just hope that they consult Doug Peacock to make sure Abbey won't roll over in his "sleeping Bag"
Posted: May 09, 2010 Mike Amato

This book(bible) has a huge following and great care should be taken to do it with care. For many the characters are heroes. I had a boss once that would not hire you unless read this book.
Posted: May 03, 2010 Ian

IMDB has it listed for a 2013 release, but details are behind their paywall. Get over the damn "terrorism" stuff on this novel. The Doc had rules. If that's all you see in it, you haven't gotten the point of the book.
Posted: May 02, 2010 Steve

I'd rather see Joe Black as Hayduke than Matthew McConaWhatshisname. I can't see him playing Hayduke. He sucks for that role. As much as I want this ideal to be portrayed to the American public, I'm afraid Hollywood will butcher the pretense and intent of Ed Abbeys point, which, by the way, some of you idiots don't get by calling Earth First! a terrorist organization. Get outside and maybe you will appreciate what they are trying to accomplish.
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 steve B

I think Robert Redford should direct" Monkey Wrench Gang"
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 Andrewski