The great thing about Bob is, right from the get-go, he told me, “I’m going to take off my directing hat, and I’m going to take off my producing hat. What was it like to give direction to Redford, who is both a legendary actor and also a director himself? Kwapis directs Redford and Thompson in A Walk in the Woods. I love the idea that even though it’s about two older men tackling this very challenging trail, at the end of the day, it’s really a story about what comes next, what’s the next adventure around the corner. And then in January of 2014, Bob called me, and he said, “Let’s meet one more time” - we did, and then he said, “Let’s please make this film together.” So I was almost immediately on a plane to Georgia to begin scouting locations. I met Bob in the fall of 2013 - we got on really well and had a wonderful meeting of the minds about the script.

I know Richard Linklater was involved for a moment, Barry Levinson was involved, Larry Charles. What’s interesting is that Bob and Nick really didn’t know each other, but they had a splendid time working together, and when Bob wrapped The Company You Keep, he pulled A Walk in the Woods off the shelf and said, “ Nolte’s the perfect Stephen Katz.”Īlong the way, there were different screenwriters and directors involved with the picture. Then, Bob began directing his picture The Company You Keep, and Bob cast Nick Nolte in a supporting role, and they had a couple of scenes together. But Paul Newman grew ill, and after he passed away, Redford shelved the project - Bob told me that he couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone other than Newman, so the project sat dormant for some time. He optioned the rights from Bill Bryson and began developing the script as a vehicle for Paul Newman and himself. What took so long to get things off the ground? The film was in development for over a decade before you came on board. 'Follow That Bird' Turns 30: Director on Jim Henson's Feedback, Difficulty Shooting Muppets

Nick nolte a walk in the woods