With the release of Jose Rivera‘s latest writing job, an adaptation of On the Road directed by Walter Salles, still unknown, the scribe is wasting no time in venturing behind the camera: The Oscar-nominated screenwriter told O Globo (via ThePlaylist) that next year will see him begin production on his directorial debut, Celestina, which he will also write the script for.

Celestina is actually an adaptation of Rivera‘s own tragic and magical realist play, Cloud Tectonics. Sona Tatoyan, who will also be seen in On the Road and is Rivera‘s wife, will play the titular lead. Bill Pullman is also set to star as Wayne, although his specified role in the film is still to be determined.

The story explores themes of community, identity, and struggle as Celestina goes on a search for her unborn child’s father. I find it only fitting that Rivera‘s first picture as director will be a road film, since he has done so well with them in the past — and hopefully will in the near future. Even though his other screenplays have had males as the leads, I don’t really see him having a problem crossing the line into a female-driven narrative; talent should make it easy, after all.

And, in case you’re worried, he won’t be completely alone for his first time as a director. Salles, who also helmed Rivera‘s The Motorcycle Diaries script back in 2004, will act as a producer on the movie. (Though On the Road is reportedly completed, a release before the end of 2011 doesn’t really seem likely.) The writer claims that Salles has taught him everything he “knows today about casting, shooting, editing and market rules.” I only hope that his newfound knowledge will properly translate to directing.

How would you feel about Rivera going into the world of directing?

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