True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten, who plays the lovably dumb Jason Stackhouse, is set to take on a much more serious role. He’s been slated to play notorious cult leader and serial murderer Charles Manson in a new film. Kwanten is an amazing actor who doesn’t get enough credit for how naturally and believably he plays Stackhouse. I think a lot of that is just due to the character. The guy is Australian and an intellectual but when you watch that show you never have a flicker of a doubt that he’s a dumbass from the south. Here’s more, from Celebuzz:
NBC reports that the True Blood stud has signed on to play serial-murder mastermind Charles Manson in an upcoming film titled The Family. Kwanten made the announcement while promoting his latest movie, the nouveau spaghetti western Red Hill.
Though the project is still in the early planning stages, Kwanten revealed that director Brad Anderson (The Machinist) is also attached to the film.
Manson is currently serving a life sentence for orchestrating several murders in the Southern California region in the late ’60s, including that of actress Sharon Tate.
[From Celebuzz]
This role could be a real breakthrough for his career although I doubt it will be a commercial success. I know I wouldn’t want to see a movie based on those horrible crimes. I’m one of those people who doesn’t even like scary movies though. (Have you seen this video on Pajiba of the top 100 horror movie quotes? It’s fascinating and creeped me out so much.) Real life horror stories just don’t do it for me. If I’m going to get scared, I want to be able to tell myself it’s not real. I’ll definitely watch less creepy segments from this movie just to see Kwanten. I’m very interested to see gorgeous Kwanten transform himself for this role. He’s sure to be incredible.
Oh and for those of you who are going to bring it up – we’ve already featured Kwanten on Hot Guy Friday, although we’re not adverse to including him again.
Photo credit: WENN.com
I heart him (sigh)
Yea I don’t think he gets enough notice for playing Jason either and he is amazing playing Jason Stackhouse. Not sure I wanna see him Manson through. I know he will be great but don’t wanna see him like that. I will probably see it.
I actually think the movie will be a commercial success. Manson is 76 (as old as my mother!)and he was sentenced in the early 1970’s. A generation is generally considered to be 20 years so there are 2 generations that have been born since his imprisonment.
I think younger people will just think it is a horror movie like The Last House on the Left.
And how many people have seen Eric Bana in “Chopper”? That was a real life story and it shot him to critical acclaim.
Good Luck Ryan!
He is a fine actor, but I don’t think he really has “it.” His personality comes across as a real fun-sucker. Watching him on Chelsea Lately was one of the most uncomfortable things ever.
He’s on fy-yuh!
@ Laura: He was really bad on Chelsea Lately, but I think that might have just been really bad chemistry between the two of them. I’ve seen him on Jimmy Kimmel, as well as several True Blood panels, and he is much more charming and lively and funny.
I don’t know what went wrong on Chelsea Lately, but it was an extraordinarily awkward interview.
Ah I heart Ryan Kwanten. He is so great as Jason Stackhouse. Even though I almost feel like I know him too well having watched him fake screw all those women on True Blood. I think he will do great as Manson.
I remember when he was Vinnie in Home and Away, he is a better actor than I gave him credit for
Your answer lifts the intellingcee of the debate.
good call-he’s got the face for it (even if it is a decade younger).
He does kinda look like young Charlie and the Red Hill trailer looks pretty good too.
Russell Brand would make a better Manson.
Is this really a necessary movie?? Honestly Manson is a sick deranged evil person and the whole thing is something I would rather not think about anymore. I would not give that man another moment in the spotlight. Sick sick sick sick. People were murdered!!! Why do people find it thrilling to watch movies, shows about murders??? Ugh
So for him as Manson and being in HGF again.
yeah.he can pull this one off with the eyes
He’s a great actor, but I have serious doubts about the movie. There have already been books and movies about those horrible crimes. Why bring it up again. It seems exploitive and unnecessary.
I would like Ryan Kwanten to do porn.
@Jean
lol!
and I second that
Another TV movie about Manson? The best one was the 1976 one. No need to do more. It’s a topic I find interesting from the psychological standpoint, but it’s been done. No need to do it again. He’s a talented actor and should look for a better project.
I love his look (hair, scruff) in the last photo.
Perfect casting … he is an excellent choice to play the part. Can’t wait to see it.
@Carrie: Maybe Chelsea hit on him and he rebuffed her and that made things super awkward and uncomfortable and threw him off his game?
@Jean: That made me laugh and I second that, God knows he has the body for it and we’ve seen him ‘in action’ on True Blood!
Thanks for the tip on horrormoviequotes!
Vinnie off Home & Away as Manson? ‘kaaaaaay 😐
(although in fairness I’ve never seen True Blood)
I like Kwanten and all, but haven’t there been enough movies done on Manson. Sheesh.
Great description of his performance on True Blood. I was SHOCKED to find out that he was Australian because he’s the only person on the show that really nails the southern accent and mannerisms.
However, I’m not sure that you can use “Australian” and “Intellectual” in the same sentence.
Oh, Melody, you beat me to it! They’d have to cast for those crazy eyes.
I will not be seeing this. I was in college when it was happening and it was pretty shocking for the time (or for any time really). Vincent Bugliosi’s book is very good if you haven’t read it and want to know the story.
I like this actor, the few times I’ve watched True Blood. And while he resembles Manson somewhat, who is going to greenlight this movie? I can’t believe it is marketable, it’s a real life horror story?!?
He is AMAZING on True Blood and probably one of the few who use a convincing accent, despite being from another freaking continent!
Hope he busts out of the “please pose shirtless” mold because he is a smart guy and insanely talented.
Gahhhhd I love him – he seems so sweet and down to earth in interviews.
Chelsea Handler is a terrible interviewer. I wouldn’t use her as a barometer of someone’s personality.
What a babe he is!
Absolutely agree…….this kid is so good as Simple Jason it’s easy to miss. Pretty sure we’re going to see some great work coming from this adorable-ness!
I’ll pay to see him do anything as long as he is nekkid.
really lovely mediadogma….NOT
Shows how much you know. For example- it was Australian’s that invented the cervical cancer vaccine, the electronic pacemaker, black box flight recorder, the Inflatable escape slide for aeroplanes, the bionic ear, the dual flush toilet (saves a lot of water), the CPAP mask, the Multi-focal contact lens and wi-fi just to name a few things.
about the article- as much as I love Ryan Kwanten I don’t think the world needs another movie about the deranged lunatic known as Charles Manson. I’ve read all about the case as I am a huge Sharon Tate fan and the whole thing is just sick and disturbing.