Linklater's 20-Year Musical: "Merrily" Finally Filming

Richard Linklater is undertaking a unique, decades-spanning production of the Stephen Sondheim musical "Merrily We Roll Along." This ambitious project mirrors the musical's storyline by being filmed over 20 years. Linklater announced that the fourth section of the film is scheduled to commence shooting in a few months, projecting a completion around 2040. He acknowledged the inherent risks of such a lengthy shoot, likening it to his previous 12-year endeavor with "Boyhood."

Linklater also touched upon his early career, detailing how he discovered and cast actors like Matthew McConaughey for "Dazed and Confused." He recounted his surprise at Hollywood's attention to his early film "Slacker." Additionally, he addressed claims regarding salary disparities for actors in "Before Sunrise," stating that while differences existed, Julie Delpy was paid comparably to Ethan Hawke and significantly more than she had previously earned.