Update: Gina Gershon has also joined the cast. You can check out some early sales art below the jump.
Yet more news coming out of the American Film Market today, as it’s been revealed that Juno Temple has joined Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch and Thomas Haden Church in the forthcoming black comedy “Killer Joe.”
Directed by William Friedkin, The plot follows Chris (Hirsch) and his younger sister Dottie who hire a crooked cop, the titular Killer Joe (McConaughey), to kill their mother. Things take an interesting turn when Joe forgoes his usual upfront fee and uses Dottie as sexual collateral instead. This sounds like some killer material and definitely a change in gear for some of the players involved; it’s really refreshing to see McConaughey do a 180 from this usual screen persona. While all the nuts and bolts are behind ScreenDaily’s paywall, it’s a pretty safe bet that Temple will be playing the role of Dottie, the younger sister. Still no word yet of what Church’s part is in all this is.
The film is based on a play by Tracy Letts, who also penned “Bug,” which Friedkin adapted into a 2006 film that was undeservedly overlooked by most filmgoers. We hope that Letts’ material once again provides some spark for the director who has been somewhat inconsistent of late. According to the Voltage Pictures website, the picture is slated to begin shooting in New Orleans on November 8th.
When 22 year old drug dealer Chris (Hirsch) has his stash stolen by his mother, he has to come up with six thousand dollars quick or he’s dead. Desperate, he turns to “Killer Joe” (McConaughey) when he finds out that his mother’s life insurance policy is worth $50,000. Although Joe usually demands cash up front, he finds himself willing to bend the rules in exchange for Chris’ attractive younger sister, Dottie, who will serve as sexual collateral until the money comes in…if it ever does.