Matt Smith Reportedly in Talks to Play Charles Manson in The Family

It’s funny how often “duplicate” Hollywood premises seem to appear within a few months of each other. Recent months have been filled with news about Quentin Tarantino’s still-unnamed ninth film, which is reported to be about “the summer of 1969” in L.A., otherwise known as the summer of the Manson Family murders, which serve as the backdrop to the movie. Just last week, it was reported that Tarantino had officially signed Leonardo DiCaprio, who will reunite with the director after a spirited turn in Django Unchained.

But as it turns out, that’s not the only project in the works related to Manson, who died in November—check out this piece, commemorating his portrayals in film. Former Dr. Who star Matt Smith is also reportedly in talks to portray the magnetic cult leader in another film, The Family, directed by American Psycho’s Mary Harron. It’s also Harron’s reunion with screenwriter Guinevere Turner, who adapted American Psycho.

The Family is based on a novel and non-fiction book, and is set from the perspective of “a grad student working with three young women who were brainwashed into being a part of Manson’s cult, who tell their story through flashbacks.” Presumably, if Smith were playing Manson, he would play a major role in all of said flashbacks. In tone, and given the interview-like format, it almost reminds one of Netflix’s Mindhunter.

Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray (Gilly) and Marianne Rendón are reportedly in talks to play two of the three women being interviewed. Smith, meanwhile, has most recently filmed Ondi Timoner’s Mapplethorpe, in which he will play legendary (and controversial) photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.