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'A Confederacy of Dunces' to hit the big screen – with Zach Galifianakis?

A planned film version of cult favorite 'A Confederacy of Dunces' may feature 'Hangover' star Zach Galifianakis as eccentric protagonist Ignatius J. Reilly.

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R: Mark J. Terrill/AP
Actor Zach Galifianakis (r.) is the newest actor to be rumored to be taking on the role of Ignatius J. Reilly after other actors, including John Belushi, John Candy and Will Ferrell (l.), were possible contenders.
  • By Molly Driscoll

Though it’s struggled for decades to make a transition to the big screen, a movie adaptation of John Kennedy Toole’s classic “A Confederacy of Dunces” may finally be coming to theaters – possibly with “The Hangover” star Zach Galifianakis as the main character, Ignatius J. Reilly, according to Vulture.

 “Muppets” director James Bobin is reportedly in discussions to direct the film, with Paramount Pictures as the studio behind the work, according to Vulture’s report. Producer Scott Rudin is also rumored to be in talks for the project.

Phil Johnston, the screenwriter for the 2011 Ed Helms film “Cedar Rapids,” is supposedly attached to the film as well to pen the adaptation.

“Confederacy” was published after Toole committed suicide in 1969, and efforts to bring the book to the cinema have been happening for decades. Stars John Belushi, John Candy, and Chris Farley were all in contention for the part of Ignatius at various points.

The 1980 novel by Toole follows Ignatius as he searches for a job in 1960s New Orleans, encountering various unusual characters along the way.

Molly Driscoll is a Monitor contributor.

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