Cormac McCarthy probably had no idea that his book The Road was going to gather so much publicity, first picked by Oprah Winfrey for her book club read, and now it has been bought and is set to be adapted to a film.

Joe Penhall has been attached to write the script and John Hillcoat will direct, the man who was at the helm of the superb The Proposition. The announcement comes from Variety.

The story is about a father who is taking his son to safety after some catastrophe that is never quite known has ravaged the Earth. The sky is filled with ash and survivors and cannibals roam the streets, and through this the unnamed pair have to find a way north to possible salvation. For the journey they have a gun with two bullets, another possible way out.

The Road is getting rave reviews and marks another strong book for McCarthy. Now will the film be as bleak as the book?