I wonder what author David Foster Wallace would have thought about Jason Segel playing him in a movie. Likely he would have been baffled at the idea of a movie even being made about him. He’d definitely feel uneasy about it. Wallace suffered from depression, and the beginnings of literary fame were not a good mix. Even after his death, Wallace is still influencing others to learn more about his writing and life.
Segel will co-star with Jesse Eisenberg in THE END OF THE TOUR. Today we have our first look at the actor (thanks to Instagram) doing his best version of Wallace at the Mall of America. Definitely an interesting look on him.
Ron Livingston has also recently signed on to play the role of David Lipsky’s editor Bob Levin. The film directed by James Ponsoldt (THE SPECTACULAR NOW) is based on Levin’s Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace.
Jason Segel stars as Infinite Jest author Wallace, who committed suicide in 2008 during a book tour at the start of his fame. Jesse Eisenberg plays Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky, who accompanied Wallace on the tour. Along the way, jealousy and competition emerge between the two as they discuss women, depression and the pros and cons of fame.
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed