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

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

Every few years the rumors fly about this movie. Peckinpah was even rumored to be directing. Many thought that the movie, with its glorification of property destruction was simply too political for Hollywood. If so, how do you explain the success of Steven Segal's "On deadly ground"? which I rather enjoyed as a pop corn movie. I believe that while The Monkey Wrench Gang is a dam good novel, I think that the script may not be suited to a modern blockbuster. More sex and explosions would be needed. Good acting and directing could overcome any of those problems, but I'm afraid they will be tempted to sex it up. Maybe they will have superpowers and even costumes.
Posted: Jan 12, 2010 mike roselle

The Animal Liberation Front plants bombs, sets fires, and routinely threatens scientists and their families. ALF representatives have publicly, and repeatedly, advocated the murder of researchers.

The ALF uses fear to advance political ends.
That's terrorism.
Posted: Jul 08, 2009 andythebrit

I'll believe it when I see it. The Hollywood.com listing for the movie has been up for some time now, and there is no confirmation of any of the casting. This movie was moving forward a few years ago, with a good script (I read it), a decision to film it in New Mexico, and a good director. There was never any casting announced.

All of a sudden, it stalled, and Hardwicke moved on to do Twilight. I have seen zero indication since then that the film will actually be made, other than the Pressman Films website, which has called this film "In Development" for at least five years.

I want to see it made, but it looks like it's in limbo right now...
Posted: Jul 05, 2009 Steve

Animal rights activists and organizations are NOT 'eco-terrorists'. Please be cautious of perpetuating such language. It is propaganda against a grass-roots political struggle, pure and simple.
Posted: Jun 30, 2009 Katie-bo-batie

For the record, neither Earth First! or the Animal Liberation front are terrorist movements.
Posted: Jun 30, 2009 Ashley

One of my favorite novels of all time with one of my least favorite actors of all time. Thank God he's not playing Thoreau instead.

Posted: Jun 09, 2009 Todd Felton

Oh yeah, for non-fictional eco-action check out http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/
Posted: Jun 03, 2009 Humboldt Earth First!er

For one thing, Earth First! is not a terrorist movement. I'm interested in the movie but will am not holding my breath.
Posted: Jun 03, 2009 Humboldt Earth First!er

Ugh! I can't stand stories about Eco-terrorists anymore than I can stomach Matthew McConaughey's movies. This is a lose/lose movie for me.
Posted: Jun 02, 2009 Boat

This is excellent news!! I have read the "Monkey Wrench Gang" and "Hayduke Lives" and love them both, can't wait for the movie!!
Posted: Jun 02, 2009 Delia White