It’s been about 5 days since our last “Where the Wild Things Are” update, when we shared the news that the film is back on Warner’s 2009 release schedule. So we’re thankful for this New York Times profile of WWTA creator Maurice Sendak, who recently turned 80.
Turns out Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Sendak’s classic of children’s literature isn’t the only thing facing setbacks in Sendak’s world. He recently lost his longtime partner, had serious heart surgery, and, as you can imagine, regards life with a Schopenhauer-like philosophical discomfort. That’s right: He hates people, but loves dogs. The brief but gradiose list of things Sendak hates includes:
- His uncle
- God
- Salman Rushdie
- “Syrupy” animation
- People
Thankfully, the Times reports that Sendak is “thrilled with Mr. Jonze’s coming film of his book… despite rumors of studio discontent.”
Wait a minute… what rumors? Is that a non-sequitor? Gratuitous reference to some problems this film seems to be having? Either way, slowly but surely, they are really ratcheting up excitement for the eventual release of this film. We can’t wait.