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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 26, 2006
CONTACT: John Forney, (605) 773-3301 or John.Forney@state.sd.us
Filming of “Into the Wild” to Begin
CARTHAGE, S.D. – “Lights, cameras and action” will begin July 1 in Carthage when Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn begins directing his adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s nonfiction book “Into the Wild.”
Penn scouted South Dakota last February in anticipation of filming the book, part of which takes place in Carthage.
“Into the Wild” follows the life of idealist Christopher Johnson McCandless, who after graduating from college in 1990, cuts all ties with family and friends, gives his entire savings to charity and begins an adventurous journey focused upon living off the land in Alaska. His journey brought him through Carthage, South Dakota in early 1992 where he worked at a grain elevator to save money for his journey to Fairbanks, Alaska. McCandless hitchhiked to Fairbanks and entered the wilderness in April 1992. Hunters discovered his body in an abandoned bus in September 1992.
Lead roles are to be played by Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt and Vince Vaughn.
Filming is scheduled to occur for about a week in Carthage before relocating to the southwestern part of the state.
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