BREAKING MOVIE/TV NEWS

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Hopkins Going "Psycho" As Hitchcock

Actor Anthony Hopkins confirms he will play legendary British director, 'Alfred Hitchcock' in director Sasha Gervasi's upcoming feature "Alfred Hitchcock & the Making of Psycho", based on the book by author Stephen Rebello.

Published in 1990, the book details all aspects of the creation of Hitchcock's thriller "Psycho' released to theaters in 1960. From Hitchcock's acquisition of the original novel by author Robert Bloch to his work with two different screenwriters, casting, filming, editing, scoring, and promotion, the book takes readers into the day-to-day lives of moviemakers who believed they were making a modestly budgeted, black-and-white shocker that represented a radical departure from the elegant, suspenseful films that had made Hitchcock's reputation.

Rebello researched Hitchcock's personal records and archives, interviewing most of the "Psycho" surviving cast and crew members.

Prior to the book's publication, Rebello's initial research appeared as a 22-page article in the April 1986 issue of 'Cinefantastique' magazine titled "Psycho: The Making of Alfred Hitchcock's Masterpiece".

In other 'Hitchcock' film news, actress Sienna Miller ("Factory Girl") has been cast to play real life actress 'Tippi Hedren', (female lead of director Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds") in what is being described as a 'harrowing drama' for BBC 2, focusing on Hedren, "...who was the victim of a twisted and obsessive infatuation by Alfred Hitchcock".

"The Girl", written by Gwyneth Hughes, to be aired in 2012, conveys the supposed harassment the 62-year-old film director inflicted on the 31-year-old , regarded as the last of the 'Hitchcock Blondes'.

Hitchcock, who made film stars out of blonde actresses Grace Kelly, Kim Novak and Eva Marie Saint, cast unknown model Hedren in "The Birds" (1963), after spotting her in a TV commercial for a diet drink on NBC's "The Today Show" in 1962.

"...he soon became obsessed with her and began trying to control all aspects of her life, bombarding her with unwanted gifts and even forbidding her to share cars with male co-stars as he pursued the impossible dream of winning her love..."

Hedren went on to feature in Hitchcock's next film, "Marnie" (1964), co-starring Sean Connery, but refused any further work with the director, later saying she was unable to handle Hitchcock's sexual advances.

"Everyone knows Hitchcock was keen on his blondes," said writer Hughes, "Unfortunately for Tippi, he developed a twisted and obsessive love for her that left her feeling isolated and terrified. He made repeated sexual advances towards her and tried to take over her life."

Actor Toby Jones, (the voice of 'Dobby', the 'house-elf', in the "Harry Potter" films), will play Hitchcock, with fellow "Harry Potter" cast member Imelda Staunton as Hitch's long-suffering wife.

The real Tippi Hedren, now 80-years old, is the mother of actress Melanie Griffith ("Body Double").

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Tippi Hedren in "The Birds" and "Marnie"
as well as the trailer for "Psycho"...