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Matt Smith Goes from Playing Prince Philip to Charles Manson

Former Doctor Who star Matt Smith, who is no stranger to playing 'Psycho', is stepping into the role of Charles Manson for Mary Harron's Charlie Says film.

Matt Smith Goes from Playing Prince Philip to Charles Manson
Matt Smith in 2017. Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Charlie Says will follow three young women who, after being sentenced to death for their role in the Manson murders, were spared their punishment and instead given a life sentence. Graduate student Karlene Faith was tasked with reeducating those women, and the film's narrative will explore through her eyes the trio's transformation as they come to terms with their crimes.

Harron is no stranger to psychotic material, having previously directed such films as American PsychoI Shot Andy Warhol, and an episode of The Following. She's reuniting with American Psycho writer Guinevere Turner. Reportedly, the screenplay took much inspiration from The Family by Ed Sanders, as well as The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten by the real Karlene Faith about her experiences.

"Guinevere Turner's script brings a fresh and unique perspective to the infamous story of the Manson murders," Harron said to The Hollywood Reporter. "We have now found the perfect cast to bring it to life."

Suki Waterhouse, Merritt Wever, Carla Gugino, Hannah Murray, Kaylie Carter, and Marianne Rendon are already on board for the film, and the casting of Manson was the last big piece of the flick before moving to the next phase in production.

Smith most recently appeared in Netflix's The Crown, and I guess now we know why he wasn't raising a bigger stink over the recasting of his role. Smith did appear in the West End production of American Psycho the musical in 2013, so he's not unfamiliar with adaptions of Harron and Turner's works.


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Mary Anne ButlerAbout Mary Anne Butler

Bleeding Cool News Editor Mary Anne Butler (Mab, for short) has been part of the fast-paced world of journalism since she was 15, getting her start in album reviews and live concert coverage for a nationally published (print) music magazine. She eventually transitioned to online media, writing for such sites as UGO/IGN, ComicsOnline, Geek Magazine, Ace of Geeks, Aggressive Comix (where she is still Editor-in-Chief), and most recently Bleeding Cool. 

Over the past 10 years, she’s built a presence at conventions across the globe as a cosplayer (occasionally), photographer (constantly), panelist and moderator (mostly), and reporter (always). 

 Interviews, reviews, observations, breaking news, and objective reporting are the name of the game for the founder of Harkonnen Knife Fight, a Dune-themed band with an international presence. 

 Though she be but little, she is fierce. #MabTheProfessional
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