Richard Linklater's 20-Year Film Project

Richard Linklater has given a major update on his musical film 'Merrily We Roll Along' at the Zurich Film Festival. The film, based on Stephen Sondheim's 1981 musical, will be shot over a 20-year period, with stars Paul Mescal, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein aging in real time.

The film is an adaptation of the 1934 play 'Merrily We Roll Along' by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Linklater's film will be shot in nine sections over 20 years, with the fourth section scheduled to be shot in a few months.

Linklater addressed concerns about 'tempting fate' with the long shoot of 'Merrily We Roll Along', drawing on his experience with 'Boyhood', which was shot over 12 years. He dismissed concerns about the risks of a long shoot, saying 'it's the only way to tell the story'.

The stage version of 'Merrily We Roll Along' starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez won four Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Linklater's film will be a unique take on the story, with the cast aging in real time over two decades.

## Why it matters The success of 'Merrily We Roll Along' will depend on the ability of the cast and crew to work together over a long period. The film's 20-year shoot is a significant undertaking, and the outcome will be eagerly anticipated by fans of the musical and Linklater's previous work.

## What happens next The fourth section of the film is scheduled to be shot in a few months, with the entire project set to be completed in 2040. Linklater's update has provided a glimpse into the making of this ambitious film, and audiences will be eagerly awaiting its release.