Robert Redford going for a Walk in the Woods

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hat old workaholic Robert Redford is at it again, this time as the brains behind an adaptation of Bill Bryson’s novel AWalk in the Woods.

The Sundance Kid has followed his heart and put the project bang on track, being a huge fan of the book itself, but it has been a long time coming. In fact Redford has been trying since 2005 to set the wheels in motion, but time and again obstacles were in his path. However, as the saying goes, if you want a job doing properly you’ve got to do it yourself, so he decided to take on the triple role of director, producer and lead actor.

While this in itself is perhaps no shock, with the Out of Africa star having proved himself a dab hand at all three on numerous occasions, it may come as a surprise to those who were under the impression that Richard Linklater was set to take the director’s seat. Fresh from his success with Before Midnight, there is no apparent reason why Linklater jumped ship, but this kind of event has become symptomatic of the difficulties that have faced A Walk in the Woods.

Another name that was closely linked to the movie for several years was Paul Newman. Originally, the film was billed as a possible reunion for the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid pair, but, sadly of course, Newman passed away in 2008. Barry Levinson was also lined-up as director, then, you’ve guessed it, he decided to pull out. And yet, fast-forward to 2013 and the vibes couldn’t be more positive. Nick Nolte was touted as co-star in 2011 and happily for Redford the gravel-voiced actor is still very much on board. Meanwhile, the film’s distribution rights are due to go on sale at the up-coming Cannes festival.

So what looked like a bridge too far at one stage is now well and truly up and running. A Walk in the Woods is due to start shooting this summer.