As far as Hollywood debuts go, few directors are as lucky as Park Chan-wook. With a cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Mia Wasikowska, Jacki Weaver and most recently, Lucas Till, Park has a heavy hitting array of talent coming to bat for him in a project that seems perfectly tuned to his sensibilities. And now, one of the final pieces of the casting puzzle is in place and a Coppola family regular continues his rising career with a spot in “Stoker.”
Alden Ehrenreich, co-star of Francis Ford Coppola‘s “Tetro,” who had a cameo in Sofia Coppola‘s “Somewhere” and features in the former’s upcoming gothic tale “Twixt,” has joined Park’s film. Penned by Wentworth Miller — under the name Ted Foulke — the Black List script is described as a fantastical, fairy tale-like family drama that follows the story of an eccentric teen, India (Wasikowska), whose enigmatic and estranged uncle (Goode) returns to the family after the death of the girl’s father. People, however, start to go missing in her hometown at the same time and she soon discovers that her uncle may be the cause. Ehrenreich will play Whip Taylor, a jock friend of India who befriends her after his pals pick on her but winds up being a jerk anyway, meaning that our earlier speculation about Till’s role was off, as it now seems he’ll take the part of Pitts, a thuggish schoolmate.
The dark thriller should begin shooting soon with Fox Searchlight releasing the film sometime in 2012, and in an already stacked calendar next year, this is one we’re adding to our must-see list.