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Ryan Kwanten Playing Charles Manson for Indie 'The Family'
by Ethan Anderton
October 28, 2010
Source: ShockTillYouDrop
Using the momentum from his breakthrough role as Jason Stackhouse in HBO's sexy vampire series "True Blood", actor Ryan Kwanten is making a big move into feature films. Though he's had roles in junk like Dead Silence and Flicka, recently Kwanten voiced a character in The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole and has the epic action comedy The Knights of Badassdom in his future. Now ShockTillYouDrop reports the actor will play a young Charles Manson in The Family, an adaptation of Ed Sanders revealing book of the same name which centers on the wayward teens who would become the twisted Manson family.
Writer Scott Kosar (The Machinist, The Crazies) will make the indie drama his directorial debut and is adamant that the film is not solely about the infamous Manson murders or simply a Charles Manson biopic. Kosar, who also wrote the script himself, elaborates on his take on the Manson family and emphasizes a focus on the victims:
"A very unconventional unit, but a family nonetheless. It is not a horror film, though the subject is inherently horrific. The goal is to do, finally, after forty years, the first authentic film about the so-called Manson Family. Unlike other films on the subject, 'The Family' will also spend time getting to know the victims, particularly Sharon Tate, who will be portrayed very sympathetically. I don't think a responsible movie can be made about this subject without humanizing the victims, which must be done in order to truly convey - as much as a film is able to - the enormity of the tragedy. This won't be a slasher film, but it won't gloss over the violence either. It's a film about an American taboo that has never been dramatized with any balance or accuracy. Bugliosi-based films accurately deal with the prosecution o 'the Family.' My film will concern the family itself. Who they were and what their lives were like with Manson."
Kosar certainly sounds immersed in the family and their story, and it sounds like this will be an exploration of their psychosis and the real tragedy of their victims death that hasn't been highlighted before. Kwanten should bring plenty of eccentricities to the role as well since his comedic performance on "True Blood" has a certain off-kilter charm to it, and Manson is one of those characters who has plenty of personality, but doesn't need a caricature performance to showcase it. My bet is that we'll see this indie drama hit the festival circuit next year. Interested?
8 Comments
1
Why would I wanna watch a film about Manson? Casting is great and all, but I don't wanna watch a film about these sick fucks.
Xerxex on Oct 28, 2010
2
Although Manson is a douche, it's important to have a film show how one douche can mindfuck a whole other flock of douches to do some heavy things, a bit like religion, but with hippies. Hollwood breeds idiots to follow douches him, Scientology is just as silly as hanging out with a Manson. Have a listen to his tunes, no wonder no-one gave him the time of day http://mansonmusic.blogspot.com/ Spurred folk musicians, don't mess with them...
Crapola on Oct 29, 2010
3
there has been several movies made on the "manson" subject already - i find it difficult to believe that this will offer anything new to the topic. i'll watch for a trailer; but, i'm not expecting much.
beavis on Oct 29, 2010
4
Wow. Bold role, good for him. Sick f#$ks or not, the story is legend and there's no shortage of people willing to dish out cash for such attractions.
Voice of Reason on Oct 29, 2010
5
Steve Railsback portrayed the difinitive manson. As to the music, dennis wilson was hanging out with him and introduced him to the rest of the band. who knows, what could have happened with a bit of talent. we could be watching a movie about the Donovan family murders. mellow yellow indeed.
goliad on Oct 29, 2010
6
I'll clarify, I've already seen other Manson films, I really do not wanna see another one.
Xerxex on Oct 29, 2010
7
well just like you'd watch movies about a nazi. there's no shortage of those. a good movie is a good movie. and its a good subject. no one is saying manson was a hero or anything. that's why there are movies to inform.
brandi on Oct 29, 2010
8
A Nazi? Yeah sure if the story's there, but The Manson Family has been told numerous times, and I'm tired of hearing about them. Go see it and have a good time, I'll have no part of it.
Xerxex on Oct 29, 2010
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