Gillian Flynn's hit novel "Gone Girl" was a twisted, tense, psychological mind job--and I loved every second of it. The book has spent the better part of the last year in the top ten of the best sellers list and it's no surprise the work was optioned into a motion picture. Reports out of Hollywood already confirmed that Reese Witherspoon's production company would produce the film although she would not necessarily star in it. Since then there has been very little information on the project.
Until today.
"Deadline" reports that Academy Award nominated director David Fincher's next film will be Gone Girl. Although Fincher has been developing the movie with Fox for the last several months, many thought he would undertake his long in development 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea adaptation first. Well fans of Captain Nemo will have to wait for a little while longer...at least for Fincher's take anyway.
But not only will Fincher direct Gone Girl he's also found his leading man--Mr. Ben Affleck. Affleck will play Nick Dunne, an unfaithful husband who has to deal with tons of backlash when his wife goes missing. What's surprising is that Warner Bros. had commissioned Affleck to direct the adaptation of the novel "Live By Night," but is delaying the project so Affleck can star in Fincher's film. In an industry where there is a perpetual pissing contest between most studios, it's highly irregular for Warner Bros. to allow this, especially when they have no vested interest in the movie.
For those of you not familiar with the novel here is a synopsis:
On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick's wife Amy disappears. There are signs of struggle in the house and Nick quickly becomes the prime suspect. It doesn't help that Nick hasn't been completely honest with the police and, as Amy's case drags out for weeks, more and more vilifying evidence appears against him. Nick, however, maintains his innocence. Told from alternating points of view between Nick and Amy, Gillian Flynn creates an untrustworthy world that changes chapter-to-chapter. Calling Gone Girl a psychological thriller is an understatement. As revelation after revelation unfolds, it becomes clear that the truth does not exist in the middle of Nick and Amy's points of view; in fact, the truth is far more dark, more twisted, and more creepy than you can imagine.
I know Ben Affleck is an easy target for most people but guys Gigli was ten years ago. Move on! The guy has blossomed into a fantastic and mature director and was robbed of the Academy Award for Best Director this past year. I think this is an excellent pick and a big name to boot.
This film has the potential to be the 21st century's version of Fatal Attraction if done the right way. And with guys like Fincher, Witherspoon, and Affleck on board, Gone Girl is definitely headed in the right direction.
Filming on the project starts this Fall.
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