Sean Penn working on 'Into the Wild'

HOLLYWOOD, N.Y., June 9 (UPI) -- Writer and director Sean Penn continues to draw a stellar cast to the Paramount Vantage film "Into the Wild."

Oscar winners William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden recently signed on to co-star in the movie. Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn and Catherine Keener were already aboard, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The film is based off of Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book about Christopher McCandless, played by Hirsch, graduating from college in 1992, deserting his possessions and hitchhiking his way to Alaska to live in the wilderness.

McCandless died four months later, his body was found in an abandoned bus at an isolated campsite. McCandless' parents will be played by Hurt and Harden.

Penn, Art Linson and William M. Pohlad are producing the film. Pohlad's River Road is responsible for financing the project.