Choke stars cast, filming set to begin

Sam Rockwell has officially been cast as the lead role in the upcoming adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s controversial Choke. The book tells the story of Victor Mancini, a sex addict who chokes himself in restaurants to gain the concern of strangers, attempting to deal with his lack of personal connections by obtaining immediate emotional responses. It’s one of the author’s most transgressive works, which is saying a lot. Palahniuk is perhaps best known for his first book and its film adaptation, Fight Club, which while initially a flop became a cult classic and DVD best seller. After that film’s eventual success plans were made to film his next novel, Survivor, but these were nixed after events of September 11.

While there had been conflicting reports about who’s writing the film, it’s now confirmed that Clark Gregg, best known for his acting and as the screenwriter for What Lies Beneath, is both writing and directing the film. Choke will also star Anjelica Huston and feature Kelly Macdonald and Brad Henke in supporting roles. The film’s principal photography is beginning this week in New Jersey but not much else is yet known about the project.

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