Hackman, whose last film was (tragically) 2004’s WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT, has been occupying his twilight time with writing (in between the occasional pitchwork for Lowe’s). The 80-year-old star of classics like THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE CONVERSATION, HOOSIERS and UNFORGIVEN, will publish his first solo novel next summer.
The book, titled “Jubal’s Bounty”, is a Western set in late 19th century New Mexico. Hackman had previously co-written three other novels (with Daniel Lenihan), “Wake of the Perdido Star”, “Justice for None” and “Escape from Andersonville”. Hackman obviously knows his way around a Western — besides his Oscar-winning part in Clint Eastwood’s film, he roamed the dusty trail in THE HUNTING PARTY, BITE THE BULLET, THE QUICK AND THE DEAD, WYATT EARP and GERONIMO.
A few years ago, Hackman had this to say about the writing process: “I like the loneliness of it, actually. It’s similar in some ways to acting, but it’s more private and I feel like I have more control over what I’m trying to say and do.“