James Franco Buys Film Rights to David Lehman's "The Last Avant-Garde" for Record Amount: Actor to Play Poet Kenneth Koch

According to Hollywood Reporter, actor/poet James Franco (above right) has paid a record price for the film rights to  "The Last Avant-Garde: The Making of the New York School," David Lehman's seminal study of the four poets (John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch (above left), Frank O'Hara, and James Schuyler) who during the mid-20th century "revitalized poetry at a moment when it seemed that everything that could be done had been done."  

In a separate statement, Lehman revealed that he would likely collaborate with Franco on the screenplay.  Production is scheduled to begin later this fall.  Early scenes will be shot on location in Cambridge, Mass, where the young John Ashbery befriended Koch and O'Hara while at Harvard.  Production will move to New York City for the remainder of the film.

"Franco is a talented writer and actor with a deep appreciation of poetry," said Lehman.  "I'm thrilled that we were able to reach an agreement on the film."  Word is out that actor Seth Rogan will portray James Schuyler and Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey's Matthew Crawley, below right) will play John Ashbery.  Franco is tight-lipped about who will play Frank O'Hara, giving rise to rumors that he will play the ill-fated poet himself. 

Negotiations for the film rights reportedly began shortly after Franco appeared as Allen Ginsberg in the critically acclaimed "Howl."  At first Franco refused to disclose how much he paid for "Avant-Garde" but when pressed he admitted that he tapped several poetry-loving investors to come up with the record cash amount of continue reading here.

-- sdh

Comments

[jim c]

But from what seed did this spring? I'm guessing you found a pic of James Franco
wearing Kenneth Koch glasses hanging on the wall at Ariadne's Threads, an East Village vintage clothing store, and went from there?

[Stacey]

Jim! I have seen the likeness for a long time - just waited for the right moment to make the "separated at birth" connection. Plus, there is a great movie in that book, isn't there?