‘Stoner’ Film Adaptation Casts Casey Affleck as Its Star

The novel Stoner, by John Williams, is often described as one of the best books people have usually never read, or even heard of, and is even considered to be a hidden American classic. The book didn’t perform well upon its initial release in 1965 and has been in and out of publication since it was first released. Now back in publication, the book has received a new breath of life in recent years and has enjoyed critical acclaim and is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Fans of the book will be pleased to hear that the book is in the process of being adapted into a film and, as Deadline reports, Hollywood actor Casey Affleck will play the role of lead character William Stoner. The film is being produced by Jason Blum, Charles S. Cohen and Daniel Battsek and the actor Ethan Hawke is set as the executive producer.

The film will be directed by Joe Wright who has directed previous book adaptations such as “Pride & Prejudice,” “Atonement” and “Anna Karenina.” Blum described fans of the book as being part of a “secret club.” He added: “I’m so excited that Casey, Joe and Andrew have come aboard to help expand this club’s membership,” he said. “This quintessentially American work is being brought to the screen by a terrific international team, and we’re confident their combined perspectives will add rich layers to this moving story.”

Stoner US
Stoner UK

Casey Affleck is a celebrated actor who was nominated for an Oscar in 2007 for his role in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. He went on to win an Oscar in 2016 for his role in Manchester by the Sea, which also won him a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. However, his casting might prove somewhat controversial due to two lawsuits that were filed against him in 2010 for sexual harassment. Affleck denied the charges and the lawsuit was settled out of court.

Though Stoner was never popular in John Williams’ life, he did go on to have greater success with his novel ‘Augustus’ which won him the National Book Award in 1972. Williams passed away in 1994.