Craig Borten’s 20-year mission to bring Dallas Buyers Club to screen

Unlike most people portrayed in “based on a true story” films, Dallas Buyers Club‘ Ron Woodroof was never extensively profiled. Instead, Ron trustingly left his legacy up to screenwriter Craig Borten — who convinced Ron to speak with him in 1992, one month before Ron’s death.

Craig first learned of Ron’s plight after reading Bill Minutaglio’s investigative article for the Dallas Morning News in August 1992.

The Los Angeles-based screenwriter then hopped in his car and drove down to Texas with the hopes of talking with Ron. As it turned out, Ron was willing to speak with him for three days and leave his diaries in Craig’s care.

“He was this enigmatic character: wearing a cowboy hat, incredibly raw about women, about drugs, about AIDS,” Craig told the Los Angeles Times of his impression of Ron. “I remember thinking ‘this is bigger than life itself.'” (Learn more about Ron’s story in our November profile.)

Determined to bring the story to screen, Craig completed a script in the early 1990s. Then the wait began. Actors signed on… And off. Financial promises fell through. Studios got cold feet. (Along the way, Craig enlisted help from fellow screenwriter Melisa Wallack.)

Then, 20 years after Craig met with Ron, arrangements came together.

The film was successfully released in theaters last fall. On Sunday, it earned stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto Golden Globes for their performances. Yesterday, the Academy announced Craig and Melisa are nominated in the best original screenplay category.

Understating how meaningful that nomination surely is for him, Craig told The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s an incredible end to such an epic journey.”