Reitman has resumed work on a film adaptation of Walter Kirn’s novel Up in the Air. We get wind of this news and the following story thanks to the professionals at Variety:
Jason Reitman will write and is attached to direct Walter Kirn’s novel “Up in the Air” for Montecito. Story centers on a ruthless human resources exec whose only joy in life comes from the prospect of notching his millionth frequent flyer mile, a goal he pursues with zeal as the rest of his life falls apart because he is constantly on the road.
In 2004, Montecito optioned the book, which had previously been in development at Fox 2000 and Jay Roach’s Everyman Pictures, and the younger Reitman penned 30 pages on spec. He got halfway through writing the script when he read Diablo Cody’s “Juno” screenplay and turned his attentions to helming that project. He has since resumed adapting “Up in the Air.”
What interests me most about the above story is that Reitman dropped this project to do Juno, and then picked this up again. This man knows when to strike when the iron is hot. He saw the potential in Juno, capitalized on it, and then returned to what he was doing before. Reitman, son of Reitman has “the business” in his veins, and the wherewithal to use his instincts accordingly.
A million miles in the air is something I don’t want to even think about. As someone that’ s in the sky from Toronto to Los Angeles a few times a year, I can tell you without reservation that it ‘s something I don’t look forward to. I wish rail was faster. If they had a high speed train – I would take it over a plane any day of the week, even if it took 3 times as long to get there. I am a lilly-livered land lover through and through.
