When '' American Masters '' executive producer Susan Lacy read about the project , she began a three-year pursuit to acquire the television rights to the documentary . On January 27 , 2013 , Lacy and PBS '' American Masters '' concluded a deal for the domestic television rights to '' Salinger '' for a low-seven-figure sum . Lacy said : " Shane 's film is an extraordinary piece of work ; the more recognition Salinger received , the more reclusive and enigmatic he became , refusing all interviews and trying to block all coverage . With the embargo finally lifted , it is my intellectual and emotional thrill to bring the inimitable J. D. Salinger into the '' American Masters '' library . I can not envision a more appropriate subject for our 200th broadcast in January . " On February 27 , 2013 , it was announced that producer Harvey Weinstein had acquired the documentary for theatrical distribution after being the only studio head to see the finished film following the 85th Academy Awards . Weinstein stated : " Shane Salerno has created a haunting piece of documentary filmmaking in '' Salinger '' . We are in awe of the painstaking detail used in depicting a man who created truly timeless works of literature , but otherwise remained an enigma for so many years . " The theatrical purchase price was $ 2 million and the release date of September 6 , 2013 was chosen so that the film could be a candidate for the 86th Academy Awards . It did not receive a nomination
85th Academy Awards
85th Academy Awards
Salinger (film)