'On the Road' film back on track

NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Hollywood screenwriter Jose Rivera confirmed he has written a script for the long-awaited film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's classic book "On the Road."

"I’ve been told by the producers not to say too much," Rivera told UPI in New York. "But I will tell you, yes, I have written a screenplay and Walter Salles is directing it. This has been in the works for 28 years, way before I ever got involved. As far as I know, everyone is very happy with the script and everyone thinks Walter is the man that can do it and they have been trying to cast the film."

Rivera, whose new movie "Trade," hits theaters this month, previously worked with Salles on the acclaimed film "The Motorcycle Diaries."

Asked why it has taken so long to bring "On the Road" to the big screen, Rivera said: "It's a difficult book. It's full of incredible moments and scenes, but it is a big, sprawling thing... you need to find 'the' story."

He added that finding away to activate the "very passive" central character and make him into a "filmic role" has been his biggest challenge.