Going gonzo

Hunter S. Thompson may have left us in 2005, but for a few short weeks, he’ll be reincarnated in Silverton. 

On Sept 4, shooting for the low-budget film on Thompson’s 1970 bid for Pitkin County sheriff, “Freak Power in the Rockies,” is set to begin, according to the Silverton Standard. Directed by Robert Kennedy III (yes, that Kennedy), the lead role will be played by Jay Bulger. A filmmaker by trade, Bulger became a Netflix sensation with his series “Beware of Mr. Baker,” a documentary on legendary rock drummer Ginger Baker.

Other stars include Susan Sarandon and Don “Miami Vice” Johnson. Silverton’s real-life Sherriff Bruce Conrad is also involved and is credited as a co-producer in the film, according to the Standard. With Silverton standing in as Aspen circa 1970, film-ing is set to last six weeks and bring in 75 people to the tiny town. Kennedy secured $300,000 in state incentives to make the movie in Colorado. It is based on the 2015 book Freak Power: Hunter S. Thompson’s Campaign for Sheriff, by Daniel Watkins. The film producers also reportedly acquired rights to a 1970 BBC documentary on Thompson’s campaign.

Fortunately for fans of Thompson’s writing, he ended up losing that campaign and instead went on to write his epic tomes Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) followed by Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail (1973). And despite Thompson’s loss, a lot of “freaky” events happened along his own campaign trail, including charges of voter intimidation and the mysterious theft of a box of dynamite. Of course, this all in addition to Thompson’s legendary affinity for booze, illicit drugs and firearms, on which he often remarked, "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."