Beloved Western Blood Meridian Finally Getting Movie After 30 Years In Development Hell

Blood Meridian is set for a film adaptation after nearly three decades in production hell. The 1985 novel is from acclaimed author Cormac McCarthy, whose previous works The Road, No Country for Old Men, All the Pretty Horses, and Child of God have been adapted to the screen. Blood Meridian is an epic tale that follows a teenager who joins the real-life scalp-hunting group known as the Glanton gang.

Per Deadline, Blood Meridian is now set for a proper film adaptation after many years of attempts falling through. The project’s new iteration is being mounted by New Regency with McCarthy and his son John Francis McCarthy on board as executive producers. Attached as producer and director is John Hillcoat, who is reuniting with McCarthy after helming The Road film adaptation in 2009.

As early as 1995, many filmmakers have pursued Blood Meridian as a possible adaptation. Screenwriter Steve Tesich wrote the earliest draft, though it was retooled in short order by Tommy Lee Jones. However, that project was scrapped in favor of one draft helmed by Blade Runner director Ridley Scott that failed to make it past pre-production.

The adaptation that got the closest to coming to fruition was initially announced in 2011 with James Franco in the director’s seat. Franco shot footage with a cast that included Scott Glenn, Mark Pellegrino, Luke Perry, and Dave Franco before it was retooled with Russell Crowe, Tye Sheridan, and Vincent D’Onofrio. Then, the production was eventually scrapped altogether. However, Franco did eventually adapt McCarthy’s Child of God to the screen in 2013.

It remains to be seen if this new adaptation of Blood Meridian will get produced properly or if this is merely the beginning of another failed attempt. However, Hillcoat’s working relationship with McCarthy is a good sign for the project’s longevity. Hopefully, more progress will be made in pre-production soon, so there will be a sense of when the film might be expected to premiere before too long.