'As I Lay Dying' trailer starring James Franco

Just as I was marinating in all things Great Gatsby-related, I spotted the trailer for the upcoming drama As I Lay Dying. Yes, it has officially arrived. I guess we all need to start furiously reading William Faulkner's novel now?

I've got to hand it to James Franco: The idea of even trying to adapt this particular Faulkner novel is definitely a lofty goal. The man has guts. I have no idea how he's going to pull this off, but given the success of The Great Gatsby, it seems worth noting that yet another major literary classic will soon grace the big screen.

Without further adieu, here is the first official trailer for James Franco's As I Lay Dying:

As I Lay Dying Official Trailer #1 (2013) - James Franco, Richard Jenkins Movie HD

What do you think? Does this trailer inspire you to hurry up and read As I Lay Dying again (or for the first time)? It's a tough read, in my opinion, and I struggled with it, but the story is excellent. I like the casting of Danny McBride in particular, in a non-comedy role, but that's about all I actually like about this trailer. I hope the movie isn't as boring as this trailer.

I don't recall any other film featuring more than a dozen different story narrators (as the book does), and after watching the trailer, I'm still not sure how that will be incorporated into the film. To me, the whole stream of consciousness is what made William Faulkner's novel so compelling and interesting. I never actually believed anyone could or would adapt the book for a movie.

Leave it to James Franco to try and boldly go where no director (much less a first-time director) has ever gone before. I think perhaps this project isn't going to wind up being one of his best efforts. I hope I'm wrong.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about the As I Lay Dying trailer and the decision to try and make yet another great American novel into a film. Good idea? Terrible idea? Not sure yet?

Photo courtesy of Screencrush.com