Ryan Gosling (Drive, Blue Valentine), the Oscar-nominated actor who has had a meteoric rise to recognition in recent years, is now set to make his directorial debut on an incredibly promising and ambitious project, How to Catch a Monster.
The film, which Gosling will direct from his own first script, is described as weaving together elements of fantasy noir, modern day fairytale, and suspense, and will star Christina Hendricks (Mad Men, Drive) in the lead role.
“Written and directed by Ryan Gosling, HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER weaves elements of fantasy noir, and suspense into a modern day fairytale. Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.”
Directorial debuts that sound as promising as that are few and far between, and with Gosling being such an incredibly talented actor in front of cameras, I can’t wait to see what his vision is like in the director’s chair.
Gosling will also be producing under his Phantasma Films banner, alongside Marc Platt and Adam Siegel through Marc Platt Productions, and Michel Litvak and David Lancaster through Bold Films.
Sierra / Affinity will be handling international sales for the film, which will be made available to buyers early next month at TIFF, and as you can imagine, this is quite possibly going to be the most sought-after film on the market at the festival.
Gosling will be heading there himself in The Place Beyond the Pines, one of his four upcoming films that also includes Gangster Squad, a reunion with Nicolas Winding Refn for Only God Forgives, and the as-yet-untitled Terrence Malick film (previously known as Lawless).
Principal photography on How to Catch a Monster is set to begin in Spring 2013, and here’s to hoping that we might just see it in theatres by the end of next year. I have a feeling this is going to be immense. For now, here’s the full press release, and just because it’s so good, I’ve embedded the trailer for Drive below.
Los Angeles, CA – August 29, 2012 – Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER, will star Christina Hendricks in the lead role. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce on behalf of Marc Platt Productions, along with Ryan Gosling via his Phantasma Films banner, and Michel Litvak and David Lancaster via the Bold Films banner. Sierra / Affinity will handle international sales for the film which will be made available to buyers for the first time at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Principal photography for the film is scheduled to commence in the spring of 2013.
Ryan Gosling said, “I am very appreciative to Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Bold Films for being so supportive and I look forward to making this film with all of them.”
Michel Litvak, Bold Films financier, said, “We have a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in Ryan, Christina, Marc and Adam, both personally and professionally. We responded immediately to Ryan’s script, and look forward to nurturing the next phase of his career and continuing Bold’s commitment to an artistically collaborative environment.”
Producer, Marc Platt added, “We are thrilled to be producing Ryan Gosling’s debut as a writer & director and continue our collaboration which began on DRIVE. He has composed a beautifully haunting script and has a very clear vision of how he will bring it to life. His ability to draw audiences into his world as an actor will serve him well as a filmmaker.”
“Ryan Gosling has established himself as a dynamic talent onscreen with incredible instincts, and that ability to connect with audiences will serve him well in the director’s chair.” said Sierra’s Nick Meyer. “We are excited to be involved with the next phase of his career and look forward to bringing his directorial debut to the international marketplace.”
Written and directed by Ryan Gosling, HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER weaves elements of fantasy noir, and suspense into a modern day fairytale. Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.
HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER marks Gosling’s first time writing and directing a feature film. Gosling is an Oscar® nominated actor having starred in films including DRIVE, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL and HALF NELSON for which he received his Academy Award® nomination. Gosling also stars alongside Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes in Derek Cianfrance’s THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, which will premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWX34ShfcsE’]
