A Novel Sequel to the Cult Classic
Richard Kelly, the filmmaker behind the 2001 cult hit 'Donnie Darko,' has written a sequel novel titled 'The Philosophy of Time Travel,' set to be published later this year by Range Literary Publishing. The approximately 800-page book takes place in 1988, immediately after the original film's tragic ending, where Jake Gyllenhaal's character Donnie Darko dies. The novel is now available for preorder on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, with a specific release date to be announced soon, aligning with the film's 25th anniversary on October 26.[S1]
Kelly spent the last decade writing this book, which he describes as the first piece of a larger plan to create multiple 'Donnie Darko' sequels. His vision includes adapting the novel into an animated or motion-capture film, followed by a live-action project set 28 years in the future. He has kept in touch with the original cast, hoping they might reprise their roles in future installments.[S1][S2]
The Story Continues After Donnie's Death
The novel unfolds through found documents, with Donnie's parents, Rose and Eddie, documenting their experiences after their son's death. They investigate the strange events, driven by paranoia and separate detective missions to understand what happened. Kelly reveals that the characters, including some who seemed villainous in the film, are now processing their actions within the 'tangent universe' dream, forming a support group that evolves into a cult-like community.[S1][S2]
Kelly's narrative explores how the characters were drawn into a collective dream lasting 28 days, and their attempts to piece together the reality of Southern California. He promises surprises about the characters' true identities and their interactions following Donnie's death, offering fleshed-out arcs even for minor characters. The novel serves as a bridge to the larger sequel story, which Kelly has been developing for over two decades.[S1]
From Novel to Screen
Kelly's plan is to use the novel as a launching point for a film sequel, which he envisions as a massive, multi-movie project. He acknowledges the challenges, including rights issues and the need to reunite the original cast. The filmmaker has previously released a behind-the-scenes book about the original film and directed 'Southland Tales' and 'The Box.'[S1]
The original 'Donnie Darko' premiered at Sundance and was distributed by Newmarket Films, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, and others. It gained a strong following on DVD, leading to a Director's Cut. A previous sequel, 'S. Darko,' was released in 2007 without Kelly's involvement, but this new project marks his official return to the franchise.[S2]
