Oscar Isaac might play Kurt Vonnegut in Prime Video true crime series
The series will be based on the book Helltown by Casey Sherman
Aux News Oscar Isaac
Did you know iconic novelist Kurt Vonnegut was apparently “obsessed and embroiled in the chilling hunt for a serial killer” in ‘60s Cape Cod? And that he formed a “dangerous bond with the prime suspect” in the murders? Well he did, according to the true crime book Helltown by Casey Sherman, which is now being developed as an eight-episode series that might star Oscar Isaac as Vonnegut. (Some of Vonnegut’s thoughts on this particular serial killer were previously collected in his book Wampeters, Foma And Granfalloons.)
Variety says Isaac is “in discussions” to lead the show as Vonnegut, and this would take place at a time when he was working at a car dealership to support his wife and children. Severance executive producer Mohamad El Masri will be the showrunner and writer, and Edward Berger—director of All Quiet On The Western Front, a somewhat surprising favorite among Oscar voters—will direct. Outside of that groundbreaking war movie remake that everyone is definitely talking about, Berger has also worked on Your Honor and The Terror.
The book version of Helltown is about the pursuit of serial killer Tony Costa, with Vonnegut’s involvement (and Norman Mailer’s separate, unrelated involvement) tied-in as sort of a side-story alongside the main murder stuff. It sounds like the show will shift that slightly, making Vonnegut’s curiosity about the killings more of a focal point. That means, assuming Isaac’s discussions work out favorably, we’ll get to see plenty of him with wild hair and a big mustache, so that’ll be fun (it’s also worth noting that Isaac and Vonnegut do share a bit of a passing resemblance, so it might be a little uncanny if he grows his hair out and gets the right mustache).
21 Comments
Man… I could really get behind that casting. Could definitely look like him, at least.
For a second I thought maybe they were rebooting the TV series.
RIP you crazy (acquitted) murderer…
I’m pro-Oscar Isaac plays everyone so I’m here for it.
That feels about right.
Vonnegut is arguably the greatest American writer and Issac is one of my favorites right now. I’m definitely here for this. Also, had no idea about Vonneguts relationship to this serial killer! Fun!
Cat’s Cradle is one of the best books ever written by an American author.
There’s no cat. There’s no cradle. And so it goes.
“Poo-tee-weet?”
If you want to examine a granfalloon, just peel the skin off a rubber balloon.
I was disappointed that Noah Hawley’s adaptation of Cat’s Cradle never seemed to materialize. The Fargo episode “The Law of Non-Contradiction” seemed to be a deliberate audition for it.
Vonnegut is (obviously) my favourite author, and anything that can bring him further attention is worth while.I’d like to see some good adaptations of his work, because I think it’s possible, it just requires people willing to take a risk.
Oscar Isaac don’t know Vonnegut.
can we get this guy in a movie soon?
Yes.
This isn’t really related but I’d love a new Zorro with Isaac starring
I’m in, for obvious reasons.
Sunds great and all but came here to express the common thought “ Why can’t we have adaptation s of Vonnegut Jr. works?”.Sirens of Titan could be a whole series by itself.
I guess he should busy himself while Marvel continues not to call him back for Moon Knight.
He’ll need about 200 cigarettes a day and to grow about 5 inches (which are at odds with each other) to really pull it off.