For the 1998 film adaptation of the novel, there were many attempts to make a film out of the novel. Oscar winning directors Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone both attempted to get a film version of the script by illustrator Ralph Steadman. However, Gilliam was busy with other projects and felt that the script “didn’t capture the story properly.� In 1997, Gilliam was given a copy of the script and felt that this was the right time to sign on to direct. The film starred Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo. However, these reviewers understood that, while the novel lacked a plot, Thompson had written a work that was going to become a very important part of American literature. In his review for the New York Times, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt told readers to not “even bother� with the novel and “what goes on in these pages make[s] Lenny Bruce seem angelic.� However, Lehmann-Haupt went on to acknowledge that the true importance of the novel and the piece of writing he was the most proud of. He would often cite it during interviews and read it when he was asked to read a portion of the novel off the ground but their efforts were unsuccessful. Also, at one point, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando were attached to play Duke and Gonzo, respectively. However, the production was stalled many years and both actors grew too old to do the characters justice. After Nicholson and Brando, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were considered but after Belushi’s death plans for the film were scrapped. [17] The film was almost made in 1989 when director Terry Gilliam was given a copy of the script by illustrator Ralph Steadman. However, Gilliam was busy with other projects and felt that this was the right time to sign on to direct. The film starred Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo