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Exciting Casting News for Upcoming Hitchcock/’Psycho’ Biopic!
03-02-2012 by Katie Marzullo

As previously reported... I am a hugePsycho fan. Also previously reported is that Fox
Searchlight rescued a movie based onStephenRebello’s book Alfred
Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho from development
hell. Anthony Hopkins and HelenMirren have been locked in to play Hitch and
his wife Alma for quite some time, and now, we
know the other two key members who will be joining them at the goodol’ Bates Motel!
Scarlett Johansson has been tapped to play actressJanet Leigh, the star of Hitchcock’s 1960
classic thriller who is famously hacked to death in a shower only a
third of the way into the film. It might interest you to know that
the late Ms. Leigh also wrote a book about her experiences filming
the movie entitled Psycho: Behind the Scenes if the Classic
Thriller (highly recommended, btw). It’s a well-known
fact of Hollywood lore that, after seeing the completed film for
the first time, Janet was so traumatized that she swore off showers
for the rest of her life, opting for an old-fashioned bath instead.
But I digress...
I’m not
100% sold on this casting choice, but I remain open-minded.ScarJodefinitely has the, ahem, assets necessary to portray the
notoriously buxom Leigh, but for now the similarities end there.
Stranger things have happened in LaLaLand, though, so I look forward to
being won over!
(Side note:
Janet Leigh’s daughter is actress Jamie Lee
Curtis, so I am keen to hear what she thinks of Scarlett
playing her mama!)
Now for the
really exciting news – to take on the role of the star ofPsycho, Anthony Perkins, the filmmakers
have chosen British actor James D’Arcy (most recently seen in anotherbiopic,Madonna’s royal epicW.E.).
As much as I was pulling for Andrew Garfield,D’Arcy was definitely in my Top 5 to play
Perkins, so I am satisfied with this decision! I just hope they
remember to give him colored contacts – Tony had browns eyes
whereas D’Arcy has blue (details, people!).
I am also hoping the filmmakers are respectful in their portrayal
of him and will maybe lean more towards Janet Leigh’s
depiction of him in her book – as a shy and insecure young
man but possessing significant talents and a sharp wit... As
opposed to the Creepy McCreepster most folks tend to (falsely
and unfairly) make him out to be these days. Anthony Perkins and
Norman Bates were NOT the same person, and I cross my fingers that
writers John McLaughlin and Tom
Thayer and director SachaGervasi realize this!
If all
continues to go as planned, filming on this project should begin
later this year. With all the press it’s starting to generate
and the A-List cast attached, it would be foolish to turn back
now!
Between this
and the proposed A&E prequel series "Bates Motel", it seems thisPsycho-phile has a lot to look forward
to!
(Image viaNikki Nelson/WENN)
- KatieMarzullo,YH Staff
Editor