As a film location, New Orleans has proven to be very versatile, providing the backdrop for alien invasions (Battle Los Angeles), superhero movies (The Green Hornet), and even vampire period pieces (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, set for release in 2012.)
So it’s no stretch that the Crescent City was chosen as the place to film the adaptation of famed horror/suspense writer Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart,” to begin production today.
Patrick John Flueger
“The dark New Orleans history and scenery play an amazing role in the eeriness of this story,” said the film’s director, John La Tier, “and we’ve put together an amazing crew of locals to help make this captivating story come to life. I cannot wait to get started.”
La Tier will work with some talented actors, including Peter Bogdanovich, Rose McGowan, and Patrick John Flueger.
Perhaps more famous as a director, with such credits as Paper Moon, The Last Picture Show, and What’s Up Doc?, Bogdanovich actually began his career as an actor, studying under the legendary teacher Stella Adler.
The film will add a touch of romance to Poe’s story of paranoia and murder, with Rose McGowan playing the female lead. McGowan is no stranger to the macabre, having acted in films such as Grindhouse, Scream, Jawbreaker, The Black Dahlia and The Doom Generation, in addition to her role on the popular series Charmed.
Patrick John Flueger, who is currently getting lots of attention as the star of Paramount Picture’s remake of ’80s classic Footloose, will play the lead in The Tell Tale Heart. Flueger was also recently seen in Jim Sheridan’s drama Brothers opposite Tobey Maguire.
“By choice, this is truly an independent film in every sense of the word,” said the movie’s producer, Daniel Zirilli, who has produced and/or directed more than 250 music videos for artists from The Rolling Stones to the Three 6 Mafia, as well as 20 feature films. “We’ve chosen that route so that we can make the best film possible, with no creative restrictions, and this cast selection is just the beginning of that.”
La Tier says it has always been the team’s intention to stay true to Poe. “We want this film to be something he would be proud of, and I believe this captivating script, combined with this cast and art direction, is going to be just that.”
Brian Friedman writes about New Orleans lifestyles and events for NolaVie.
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