'The Descendants': Alexander Payne on adapting the book to film

Alexander Payne, who hasn't directed a movie since 2004's "Sideways," wasn't originally going to go behind the cameras on "The Descendants." Instead, his company was going to produce the film, with Stephen Frears and Jason Reitman interested in directing the adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings' book.

When Payne decided to direct, he first revised the screenplay, written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, to emphasize the part of the novel's older daughter.

In this video from the Envelope Screening Series, Payne discusses the adaptation.

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-- John Horn

Photo: Shailene Woodley, left, George Clooney, Amara Miller and Nick Kraus in "The Descendants." Credit: Fox Searchlight