I’ve always wanted Rosamund Pike to have a bigger career. I’ve always liked her, even when she was terribly miscast in Die Another Day, and I liked her even more when I saw her turn in period dramas like Pride & Prejudice and An Education. I even thought she was a really good candidate to play Grace Kelly in Grace of Monaco, a role that eventually went to Nicole Kidman and Botoxologist. So I’m very pleased with this news – Rosamund Pike has maybe/probably scored a major role in what I’m sure will be a major movie of an adaptation of a major bestseller.
A few weeks ago, we heard that Ben Affleck was in talks to play Nick in David Fincher’s adaptation of Gone Girl. I believe that Ben has either finalized that deal or he’s close to it. And now the Hollywood Reporter says Rosamund will be his Amazing Amy. That is… really interesting casting.
David Fincher has found his Girl.
Rosamund Pike has been offered and is expected to accept the starring role opposite Ben Affleck in the 20th Century Fox mystery thriller Gone Girl, which is being co-financed 50-50 with New Regency, sources said. Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry are being eyed for supporting roles.
Pike will play a wife who goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary, as her husband (Affleck) becomes the prime suspect. Much of the story is told in flashbacks.The British actress, who recently starred opposite Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, landed the role that had Hollywood’s thirtysomething female set jockeying for the chance to work with Fincher. A number of actresses including Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman and Emily Blunt had been reported to be in the mix, but all were ruled out for various reasons including availability. Abbie Cornish and Olivia Wilde also had been considered.
Reese Witherspoon, who optioned the book last summer, is producing alongside Bruna Papandrea and Leslie Dixon.
The film is set to go into production in September. Author Gillian Flynn adapted the screenplay from her novel, which became one of the biggest sellers of 2012.
Pike recently shot the dramedy A Long Way Down opposite Aaron Paul. The busy actress’ upcoming films also include Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin’s What We Did on Our Holiday, Fouad Mikati’s Return to Sender and Peter Chelsom’s Hector and the Search for Happiness.
So, I guess the story is going to be changed around a little bit so Nick is the older husband and Amy is the younger wife? Because Amy is older in the book. But just on looks and attitude and talent, I think Rosamund is an excellent choice for Amy. Amy needs to be pretty and blonde and smaller than Nick, and she needs to know how to look innocent and sweet one second and then like the most conniving, craziest person you’ve met. I would not have bought Charlize in the role, nor Natalie Portman. Abbie Cornish has the look, I guess, but I’m not really a fan of Cornish. Emily Blunt would have been interesting, but I think Rosamund will do a better job. As for Olivia Wilde… HAHAHAHAHA. What, was Blake Lively not available for a reading?
So, overall, I don’t have huge issues with Ben as Nick and Rosamund as Amy. I think Rosamund fits the role better than Ben fits Nick, so I still have a small hope that maybe Nick will be recast. Even if it’s not, though, it should be interesting. Let’s just say a blessing that David Fincher didn’t try to shoe-horn Rooney Mara into the role. And yay for Rosamund! She’s wonderful and I hope this role redefines her career.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I love Rosamund Pike. She was great in Pride & Prejudice. Hope this helps her get even more roles.
I like her too, much more than Olivia Wilde or Rooney Mara. She makes me want to see the film now!
me three
so glad it is not reese
I had read that it was going to be Reese Witherspoon, so the fact that it is not our favorite American Citizen, makes me happy. When I was reading the book last summer, I pictured Charlize Theron and James Marsden as Nick and Amy. I can’t quite picture Ben Affleck as Nick, but he will probably pull it off.
Ooh! James Marsden would be a perfect Nick. I hadn’t ever imagined that, but he totally has a jerky punch me face that works with “Lance”. And Rosamund Pike is perfect as Amy…I’m excited for this movie again.
Me too. Loved her as Jane in P&P and she was in Fracture with Ryan Gosling. Good movie. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I saw her in that movie.
She is unreally, inhumanly gorgeous. I think she’d be good for the role. She was so lovely in P&P.
I was going to write the same exact comment!
yes, exactly. she is who I pictured but I didn’t know her name.
I so agree. She’s beautiful, with a name to match.
If I were Jennifer Garner, I’d be more worried about her than Kristen Stewart.
I don’t know her work but she looks the part as I’d imagined. Speaking of looks, she gives me a young Julie Bowen vibe.
The other casting news sounds interesting. Love NPH!
I was going to say the exact same thing you did, so I’ll just add “ditto.” 🙂
Very Julie Bowen. That said, if I have to get used to her playing Amy I will. I don’t hate this woman. I know very little of her work but Ben as Nick? Miscast.
Amy is a few years older than Nick but “still looks good for her age.” I guess they could pull it off. Ben could be the hapless midwesterner who falls for a sociopath. I could see it and he has aged well. If he loses a few pounds he might appear younger. I’m torn.
I think she is gorgeous!!!! The jury is still out for me re: her acting ability. What’s that movie she was pretty recently in with Tom Cruise? I didn’t think she was very good in that, but maybe the writers didn’t give her a lot to work with.
She is an excellent actress; they didn’t give her anything or anyone to work with in “Jack Reacher”. (Who has chemistry with Tom Cruise?)
She’s terrific and I always wanted to see more of her: finally she got the part to show what she can do.
Who has chemistry with Tom Cruise…Jeremy Renner!
I think the only movie I’ve ever seen her in was Jack Reacher. I see a lot of people here are fans but, wow, she was terrible in that movie. I remember staying awake being mesmerized by how awful she was.
Jackson – so funny! it was the only thing i have ever seen her in and she was so terrible it was MESMERIZING…
Thandie Newton had chemistry with Tom.
She is a fabulous and generally underrated actress; she has never found that great, breakthrough role. She was in a a sweet little movie with Steve Martin and Jack Black last year, called “The Big Year”. The movie was about bird watching and I am a huge birder-nerd. Yeah, I said it. *blush*
There is no shame being a birder nerd, nc.
Spotting scopes ON!!
I loved that movie- tho the book was better.
Rosamund is a fabulous actress- check her out in “The Libertine”, which is prob the last movie Johnny Depp played as a serious actor- it pre-dates Pirates. She will be great in this role.
NPH as the later BF?? Please! Any word on who’ll play Nick’s sister?
I saw a picture of her and Ben together. He was sitting in a car. I don’t know much about her, but have they worked together before, or is that picture new?
Blake Lively. Hahahaha
I saw what you did there.
I’ve actually never seen her in anything, but based on looks alone, I think she’s a good choice. And I think Ben is a good choice for the husband, but they just need to young him up a little bit.
Looking forward to it – great book, interested to see what they do with the movie.
Didn’t know she was a Bond Girl but I know her from Johnny English starring Mr. Bean.
She was horrible in Jack Reacher. Actually could not watch her in that movie. I haven’t seen her in anything else. Based on JR my opinion is she is not a good actress.
I love her. I love Pride and Prejudice, I loved her Jane. I always wondered why she didn’t get more roles, bigger roles. Maybe she doesn’t really care about that.
I still absolutely hate Joe Wright for what he did to her after he called off their wedding. Asshole.
Have you not seen Bright Star? Abbie is great in it.
I LOVE Bright Star, even though it makes me an emotional wreck. I thought everyone in it gave a great performance, particularly Ben Whishaw, who I am in love with largely because of that movie. 🙂
Great casting choice. I think she’s lovely and a pretty good actress too.
Charlize has the part in Dark Places, doesn’t she? I doubt she could play both roles.
I just saw on imdb that Charlize is cast as Libby day in dark places. I love ct, but how does that work considering Libby is supposed to be a 4′ 10″ redhead? Please don’t ruin this book…
She has a sophisticated look, so I think she can easier read as older. And besides, if you color Ben’s hair and do some makeup tricks, he can still look quite boyish.
She’s delicios. So elegant and classy and I’m glad she’s getting more opportunities. I enjoy her.
If you like period pieces she’s also fantastic in “Love in a Cold Climate” and “Wives and Daughters” (although her role is smaller in that one)
She’s a great actress and a solid fit for this.
Loved. Loved. Loved her in Wives and Daughters!
What? They remade Love in a Cold Climate? I just discovered the Mitford sisters and am trying to read/watch anything by them or about them.
I have not seen Rosamund Pike in a single thing, so I can’t say she’s the perfect Amy until I see the movie. But could be a huge break for her.
I’m a bit “meh” on Affleck playing Nick. Fincher couldn’t have found someone more interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rooney Mara playing Nick’s friend, she’d be the right age for it.
I read somewhere that Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry are being considered for parts.
As for Abbie Cornish, I think she would have made a good Amy too. I think Charlize is already starring in another Gillian Flynn adaptation Dark Places.
I could not see Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt (though I love her), Olivia Wilde in the role.
PS: Reese Witherspoon is producing this right? I am so surprised that she did not take the part of Amy. She’s the right age and has the right look.
I have friends in the biz and when they told me that Reese had optioned the book, the first thing I asked was whether she would play Amy. The answer was “no,” so it sounds like from the beginning she wasn’t interested. Maybe too close to her part in “Election”? I agree, she would have been good. I am not a huge fan of Affleck, but I can absolutely see him in this part. I pictured Nick as aging frat-boy anyway, so in my mind all Ben would have to do is color the hair and slim down. I saw RP in “Pride & Prejudice” and she was good, and she has the right look to pull off bitchy/psycho, but I don’t know about her acting chops.
I’m not surprised that Abbie Cornish didn’t get the part – wasn’t she Ryan Phillippe’s jump-off when he and Reese were married?
I do love Rosamund Pike. My favourite role from her was in Barney’s Version where she played Miriam. They aged her several decades in that film, so its totally possible they can stay true to the book and make her older than Ben.
I know many disagree with me, but I did not think the age difference between Nick and Amy was that critical to the story. I think it will be OK if Ben and Rosamund look the same age. On the other hand, I think the age of the mistress is critical, so I feel Megan Fox (suggested in other posts) is too old. I agree that that is the look I envision for the mistress though.
Olivia Wilde is a terrible actress. I just realized that last weekend when I watched “The Words.” I’ve seen a few of her other movies (never watched “House”) but I didn’t think she was noticeably horrible in any of those. But in “The Words,” even though she was onscreen for maybe 15 minutes total, she was just awful. She was just so noticeably bad. I even looked at my roommate and said, “Olivia Wilde is a really bad actress.” Talk about someone who obviously only gets cast based on looks instead of talent!
Oh yeah, she was equally bad in House. Wooden, stilted, and unbearably smug.
I love Rosamund so will see this movie.
Great book… can’t wait for the movie. I pictured Charlize Theron as Amy when reading it and Megan Fox as Nick’s mistress.
+1
Amy is described as tall, beautiful, blonde and crazy but acts sweet for show. Charlize Theron is who I pictured. Megan Fox as the hot but naive young mistress.
I tried to read it, but could not stand the way the character Amy was written. I thought her journal writing was so obviously a man trying to sound like a young woman. Should I give it another try? Is it worth the read, then, in your opinion?
Team Rosamund. 🙂 She’s fab.
I dont think she is a particularly good actress, i could think of at least 10 people before her who deserves a bigger career. I don’t think she stands out at all. She is sort of bland looking and lacks charisma. And she was just awful in Jack Reacher.
She sort of looks like a less voluptuous version of Doutzen Kroes in the third pic…
I really liked her in Pride and Prejudice! I, too, think she would had been a better choice to play Grace Kelly.
I like her. She’s a good actress so pleased she’s had this opportunity. She’s very good in An Education.
She was wonderful in Pride and Prejudice and she is indeed very pretty. ITA in regard to Olivia Wilde! I’m sure that was just a name thrown out with no real interest. Abbie Cornish is a pretty actress but I’m not to sure about her acting chops. Charlize probably could have pulled it off but I like the idea of Rosamund much better in this role.
good call!
Oh I bet she would have been a lovely Grace Kelly.
Congratulations Rosamund!!
Ben is too old. And Rosamund isn’t quite up to par to portray The beautiful ice queen. Ben must want a chance to “befriend” a starlet a la Blake Lively. This casting will ruin the story.
I’m very excited for this movie. LOVED the book – it was THE book for me in 2012. I think Ben Affleck will be a perfect Nick – he has those all American Irish good looks – regardless of his age. I don’t really know who Rosamund Pike is, but she looks beautiful from those pictures. Amy will be a complex complicated character for any actress to play. Good luck to her!
I think she’s a great pick! Ben A., however, is not. I just can’t picture these two having any on-screen chemistry. But I do think Rosamund is a fantastic choice to play Amy.
I just saw on Lainey that Ben A was in some commercial campaign with Rosamund P. Perhaps he thought they had chemistry together then and suggested her?
Rosamund would be perfect for Amy for all the reasons stated. I would rather a better actor be given the part of Nick. Ben A. is boring and way too generic.
I have never been bowled over by her. She is ok enough in some stuff (Pride and prejuide), and sometimes really bad ( Jack Reacher, James Bond).
Abbie Cornish is someone i feel is really underated and should have a better career.
I have seen her in one movie and thought she was awful. I think it’s a terrible choice and both Nick and Amy are miscast. Did they even read the book when deciding who to cast? Reese Witherspoon would be perfect as Amy.
Sorry to break it to anyone who is a fan of the book,but this script must be pretty terrible.If it were a good script then the studio would’ve pushed for an A List actress in the lead.I’m sure that Natalie Portman,Amy Adams ,Emily Blunt and Charlize ‘s people must’ve read it and passed.And Reece is producing it but didn’t even want to be in it.So they got this nice but practically unknown British actress who of course is just happy for a lead role.I think this movie is just not going to be good.And yes Ben is totally miscast.
Great point!
Urgh how does Ben Affleck get starring roles (in movies he’s not directing)? He’s really a poor actor and a bland presence.
You know who would have been perfect for the role? Jennifer Garner. With Blake Lively as the student with whom Nick has the affair. Can you imagine that set? Oh, the shenanigans!
I just love the name ‘Rosamund’. I must go google it’s history.
She is very lovely as well. I dig her hooded eyes.
Edit: If anyone is interested, I found this:
The name Rosamund (also spelt Rosamond and Rosamunde) is a girls’ name and can also be a family name (surname). Originally it combined the Germanic elements hros, meaning horse, and mund, meaning “protection”. Later it was influenced by the Latin phrases rosa munda, meaning “pure rose”,[1] and rosa mundi, meaning “rose of the world”.[2] “Rosamunde” is the German and “Rosemonde” the French form of the name.
Interesting casting! I’ve only seen her in Pride and Prejudice–she came across as a naive, wide eyed angelic person when she played Jane Bennett. This will be great for her career if the movie is good and does well at the box office.
Ben Affleck as Nick? Not so much… but who knows, he could play it off. Nick isn’t very likeable either and Ben plays unlikeable characters pretty well.
Speaking of Gillian Flynn, I just finished reading Sharp Objects a few days ago. Gone Girl was addicting, but by the end of it I was so fed up with the characters and the ridiculous far fetched plot. Sharpo Objects was even more twisted, more macabre and again I had similar issues with it. But it was the first time a book almost made me physically ill, it was that gruesome (for me!).
Terribly miscast in Die Another Day??? Her fight scene with Halle Berry absolutely makes the movie. “Well drowning you didn’t seem to work. I guess we’ll have to try something a little more to the POINT.” BAM, classic.
I too don’t have high hopes for the screen adaptation but I have to confess I think Affleck is well cast here–I think he can pull off Nick’s unseemly character–and she seems promising. I loved her in An Education.