Actor Jake Gyllenhaal has secured the rights to develop a film adaptation of lesbian cartoonist Alison Bechdel's critically acclaimed graphic memoir, Fun Home.
The book, which was released in 2006, tells the story of Bechdel's bumpy road to discovering her sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the confronting mysteries surrounding his life.
In 2013 the memoir was adapted for the stage by composer Jeanine Tesori and out playwright Lisa Kron, with the resulting Tony-winning musical considered to be the very first Broadway production with a lesbian protagonist.
Gyllenhaal's production company, Nine Stories, will reportedly produce the movie, with the star set to tackle the role of Bruce Bechdel, the gay patriarch of the family's funeral home business whose private life and history is shrouded in mystery.
According to entertainment reporter Baz Bamigboye, the Brokeback Mountain actor “became fascinated” with the story after seeing the musical in New York and is hoping to shoot the project “later this year or next.”
It is believed that Tony winning stage director Sam Gold, who directed Fun Home in New York and London, will direct the film.
