'On the Road' star Sam Riley discusses the burden of channeling Jack Kerouac

Star also talks previously attached actors like Johnny Depp

By Josh Lasser Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013 1:52 PM

In December, HitFix sat down with Sam Riley ("Control") to chat about his role as Sal Paradise/Jack Kerouac in "On the Road." Directed by Walter Salles ("Central Station," "The Motorcycle Diaries."), Riley takes on the lead character in this adaptation of the semi-autobiographical work by Kerouac.

While Riley doesn't do an impersonation of Kerouac in the film, the English actor does tell us a little about how the accent came about and some of the difficulties inherent in taking on the part.

He discusses watching the Salles-directed documentary about "On the Road" and having to step into the shoes of the actors (including Johnny Depp) who were at one time attached to play the lead in various versions of the film that never came to be.

Riley also offers up some insights into a couple an alternate scene they filmed with himself and Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy") who plays Kerouac's friend, Dean Moriarty.

Perhaps though the most interesting story Riley tells is that of his meeting Steve Buscemi and going out for a beer with the "Boardwalk Empire" star.

"On the Road" also stars Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Elisabeth Moss, and Amy Adams. The film opened in New York and Los Angeles in December and is due to expand to more cities this month.