Jake Gyllenhaal and a team of creative collaborators are working on a film version of the celebrated musical Fun Home, based on illustrator Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about her bittersweet relationship with her father. Fun Home featured lyrics by Lisa Kron and music by Jeanine Tesori. It was developed at the Public Theater in New York and won five Tony Awards, including best musical, when it transferred to Broadway. In 2018 it had a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at the Young Vic.
Gyllenhaal would play Bruce Bechdel, Alison’s conflicted, closeted father, who was a part-time English teacher and also ran his family’s funeral home in Pennsylvania. The film is being developed by Gyllenhaal’s business partner Riva Marker, who runs his Nine Stories production company. It may shoot later this year or next. Sam Gold, who directed the stage show in the U.S. and London, will also direct the picture.
Gyllenhaal became fascinated with Fun Home when it was on in New York. He and Ms Tesori were friends after working on a production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park With George.
