Get ready to witness a groundbreaking cinematic experience! Oscar-nominated filmmaker Duke Johnson is set to bring George Saunders’ hauntingly beautiful novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, to life on the big screen—and it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the film will blend live-action with stop-motion animation to capture the story’s unique blend of history, imagination, and raw emotion. Lincoln in the Bardo, a 2017 Booker Prize winner and New York Times bestseller, delves into one of the most intimate moments in Abraham Lincoln’s life: his grief over the death of his 11-year-old son. Through an ensemble cast of characters—both living and dead, historical and imagined—the narrative explores themes of love, empathy, and the human capacity to connect in the face of unimaginable loss. And this is the part most people miss: Saunders himself is adapting the screenplay and serving as executive producer, ensuring the film stays true to the novel’s spirit. Starburns Industries, with Paul Young and Devon Young Rabinowitz producing, is backing the project, alongside Aaron Mitchell as executive producer. Johnson, known for his Oscar-nominated animated masterpiece Anomalisa (co-directed with Charlie Kaufman), brings a ‘radical, insightful vision’ to the film, according to Saunders, who was ‘blown away’ by his passion. But here’s the controversial twist: Can a story so deeply rooted in grief and the supernatural truly translate to screen without losing its essence? Or will the innovative mix of animation and live-action elevate it to new heights? Johnson’s track record, including the psychological thriller The Actor (2025), suggests he’s up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Saunders, a literary titan with 13 novels and accolades like the MacArthur Fellowship, continues to push boundaries. Three of his works, including Lincoln in the Bardo, were named among The New York Times’ ‘100 Best Books of the 21st Century.’ Here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Will this adaptation redefine how we experience literary masterpieces on screen, or will it fall short of the novel’s profound impact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
