Geronimo! From the Royal Family to the Manson Family: Say what you want about Matt Smith, but he keeps us on our toes.
Just weeks after bowing out from The Crown with another brilliant performance as Prince Philip, the erstwhile Eleventh Doctor has signed up to play another real-life character, albeit one of a very different order.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, he’ll play cult leader Charles Manson in a new film called Charlie Says. In the 1960s, Manson was responsible for the cultivation of a Californian a quasi-commune dubbed “the Family,” whose followers killed nine people in 1969.
The film will reportedly focus on the three young women sentenced to death for their part in the infamous murders ordered by Manson. They’ll be played by Hannah Murray (Game of Thrones, Detroit), Odessa Young (Assassination Nation, Richard Says Goodbye), and Marianne Rendon (Imposters, Gemini).
But their death penalty was eventually lifted, meaning Manson and the three women were sentenced to life imprisonment instead (Manson died just last year at the age of 83, having spent 46 years in prison).
The film will also feature Karlene Faith (played by Godless and Nurse Jackie star Merritt Wever), a graduate student sent in to teach the women as they faced the reality of their horrific crimes.
Also joining Matt will be newcomer Suki Waterhouse, whose credits so far include The White Princess and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but who will soon be everywhere (so watch out!), as well as Carla Gugino (Sin City, Watchmen), and Kaylie Carter (Godless, Rings).
And if you thought Matt’s involvement would make the film anything less than chilling, think again. American Psycho director Mary Harron will be at the helm, with filming due to start in L.A. in the spring.
Can you imagine Matt in this role?