Ryan Gosling Is Ready to Teach Christina Hendricks ‘HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER’

In what some may see as the most baffling and head-scratching induced news of the week, it has now been announced that Ryan Gosling will make his directorial debut with a film entitled How To Catch a Monster.  The described “fantasy noir” will star his Drive co-star Christina Hendricks.  Like I just mentioned, some may be caught off guard by this news if they were only familiar with the actor as the heartthrob from such films as The Notebook and Crazy Stupid Love; not to mention the internet meme sensation “Hey Girl.”  Yet there is a dark side to the actor as well.  For starters, some may not be aware he fronts a band that goes by the name Dead Man’s Bones.  If the name didn’t already indicate it, their music includes songs about graveyards, death, and zombies and employs the use of creepy children as background vocals.  An interview featured in Esquire Magazine last year discussed the quirky actor’s love of theme parks like Disney World and haunted houses.  His love of haunted houses triggered a dream the actor had that included multiple versions of himself and a nude woman covered entirely in “Day of the Dead” black and white make-up which ended up serving as the inspiration for the photo-shoot that the magazine did with the article.  So it should come as no surprise that the young actor wants to tackle monsters and hidden cities for his directorial debut.  As a fan of almost everything the actor – now turned director – has been featured in and as an avid listener of his band, I can attest that I am glowing with excitement over this news.  Read all about the newly announced project 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.

Source: Deadline