Richard Linklater updates on the 20-year Paul Mescal movie
Some cinematic projects don’t just take a long time to make; they require a level of patience that borders on the miraculous. Richard Linklater is currently living proof of this, having dedicated two decades to bringing his epic story, Merrily We Roll Along, to the screen alongside actor Paul Mescal.
Filming began back in 2019, and as the director updates on his sprawling vision, the timeline remains breathtakingly ambitious. Linklater reports that the production has already completed nine sections over these twenty years, with plans underway to shoot the fourth section in the coming months. This grand adventure is set to run eight years longer than his previous acclaimed film, Boyhood, which took twelve years to complete.
When asked for a progress report, Linklater offered a wonderfully candid perspective on the process. “My progress report is it’s shooting nine sections in 20 years,” he shared. He added that the project is slated to wrap in 2040, suggesting that the art of filmmaking thrives on endurance and the willingness to collaborate with the future.
The director reflected on the different demands of long-term filmmaking. While Boyhood was shot with complete anonymity, allowing Linklater to avoid updates, the musical adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along—which draws from the work of Stephen Sondheim—demanded a public commitment. “I have to answer this question for 20 years while we’re making it,” he joked, highlighting the unique pressures of adapting a beloved musical across such a massive timeframe.
Beyond the logistical challenge of time, the creative journey itself has proven to be immensely rewarding. Linklater noted that while he has always made music films, adapting a full-blown musical focusing on the enduring theme of friendship has been a particularly fun experience. It is a story about long-term bonds, and Linklater is enjoying every step of the process.
The narrative centers on Franklin Shepard, a Broadway composer who makes a dramatic pivot from his artistic passions to becoming a wealthy, cynical Hollywood producer. The story features a stellar cast, including Paul Mescal as Shepard, Beanie Feldstein as Mary Flynn, and Ben Platt as Charley Kringas, joined by other talented ensemble members.
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