Die-hard fans of Beat Generation authors are still trying to brace themselves for the impending release of a big screen adaptation of Kerouac classic “On the Road” – a tricky thing given the unique structure of the book – and now, more bad news. Deadline reports that Michael Polish has set his cast on an adaptation of “Big Sur”, a follow-up of sorts to “On the Road” that detailss Jack Kerouac’s move from the East Coast to California after finding himself unable to deal with the sudden fame thrust upon him following the success of “On the Road”. Jean-Marc Barr will play Kerouac, Josh Lucas will be Neal Cassady and Kate Bosworth will be Billie, the woman linked to both authors.

Walter Salles was the first to break the unspoken rule that Kerouac and other Beat authors’ works can’t be translated to the big screen. After years in development, “On the Road” – about a young man’s journey across North America in pursuit of jazz, poetry and drugs – finally went into production last year with British actor Sam Riley as Sal Paradise, the fictional representation of Kerouac himself and Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty, aka Kerouac’s good friend Neal Cassady. The film, which also stars Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams and Viggo Mortensen, is currently in post-production aiming for a 2011 release.

“Big Sur” is currently in production and also has Anthony Edwards, Rahda Mitchell, Balthazar Getty and Henry Thomas cast in supporting roles.