Much to my embarrassment, I almost missed this. The book that taught me how to read and helped me develop my sense of humour has finally started to take shape as a movie. Filming has started for the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy movie and you can follow the latest news on the production team’s web log.

A long standing project that nearly died along with it’s creator, the Hitch Hiker’s movie could, I suspect, go in one of two possible directions; a successful adaptation that Douglas would have been proud of or…no, I can’t bring myself to type it. However, I’m encouraged by the news that Martin Freeman, who plays Tim in that widely acknowledged work of genius: The Office, will be playing Arthur Dent.

When I say that the book taught me how to read, I mean in the sense that it was the first book that taught me reading could be enjoyable rather than a chore. I still remember reaching up and taking it off the shelf of my high school library for the first time. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve turned to it since.

Other useful links include: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha and Magrathea, who have an interview with the directors.