On The Road Movie Miscast?

On The Road by Jack Kerouac is to be made into a film. Due for release in 2011 it is to be directed by two time BAFTA winner Walter Salles(The Motorcycle Diaries,Paris J'taim).The screenplay is being written by Jose Rivera who wrote the screenplay for the Motorcycle Diaries.So far there are reasons to be optimistic-Motorcycle Diaries was an excellent and critically acclaimed road film,so they appear to be as qualified as anyone to take a stab at On The Road.
British actor Sam Riley is to play Sal Paradise the narrator of the story.It is well documented that in the original draft of the book,Kerouac used his own name and his friends names.In the the published book all names were changed to separate himself and his friends from the activities being documented.So Sam Riley is playing Jack Kerouac.Now I am not questioning his ability to carry the part,his portrayal of Ian Curtis in Anton Corbijn's biopic Control was both moving and authentic.This was helped by Riley's resemblance to Ian Curtis.

Sam Riley and Ian Curtis

This is where the main issue with Riley being Cast as Sal Paradise/Jack Kerouac arises;he bears absolutely no resemblance to Kerouac.This wouldn't be such a bad thing if On The Road was a pure work of fiction.But it isn't.It's essentially a documentation of a time,which had to be veiled to protect those involved.The recent publication of the book with all the original names included,has reinforced the fact that the characters of the tale are real people.So fans of the book will expect Sam Riley to look like Kerouac but he doesn't.

Sam Riley

Jack Kerouac

I feel the effort could have been made to find someone who resembles Kerouac.His image is on the cover of most copies you will see in the book shop.It is an iconic image which fans won't be able to separate from the story.So now it's up to Riley to give a performance that can overcome the physical difference.Let's hope he can.