Gilliam goes back to 'Quixote'

By Adnan Tezer May 14, 2009, 22:43 GMT

Terry Gilliam returning to "Don Quixote" project and talking to Johnny Depp about the film. © Terry Thompson / Photorazzi

Terry Gilliam is giving Don Quixote one more try.

According to Variety, the director is reattempting his passion project "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" nearly a decade after his first attempt was unsuccessful.

Gilliam's first attempt at adapting Miguel de Cervantes' classic 17th century romantic tale was hit by everything from bad weather, which destroyed the sets, to lead actor Jean Rochefort's chronic back problems.

That experience was captured in Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe's 2002 documentary "Lost in La Mancha."

Gilliam will be teaming up with British producer Jeremy Thomas to bring “Quixote” to the big screen. Thomas' Recorded Picture Company will produce after obtaining the rights following lengthy negotiations.

Gilliam and screenwriter Tony Grisoni, who also wrote the first version, have rewritten and updated the script. The new film will revolve around a filmmaker who is charmed into joining Don Quixote's eternal quest for his ladylove, becoming an unwitting Sancho Panza.

In Variety, Gilliam stated: "I'm not so much a filmmaker as someone who gets possessed by an idea and it doesn't leave me until I make the film. I commit myself to it so fully."

Gilliam is also in talks with Johnny Depp, who had been set to star in the first ill-fated attempt as a modern-day ad exec who travels back in time and is mistaken for Sancho Panza by Don Quixote.

Gilliam is hoping to start shooting next spring. The main role of Don Quixote has yet to be cast.