Park Chan-Wook to Stoke ‘Stoker’

Here’s a story that keeps getting better. First two scripts, one a prequel of the other, begin floating around Hollywood and quickly draw buzz. Then it turns out the scribe, Ted Foulke, is actually Prison Break star Wentworth Miller. His reason for writing under an alias: “(It) wasn’t about protecting my identity – I just wanted the scripts to swim or sink on their own,” Miller told Movieline at Comic-Con this past year. Fox Searchlight wins the rights war and quickly teams up with Scott Free Productions with both Ridley and Tony producing and the latter possibly directing. Finally, boldfaced names Carey Mulligan and Jodie Foster are attached to star.

Now, L.A. Times (via ThePlaylist) is reporting South Korean director, Park Chan-Wook, is in talks to helm the project. Stoker could likely be the first English-language film for Park, who is best known for writing and directing the Cannes-winning, 2003 masterpiece, Oldboy, and the more recently, 2009’s illicit vampire love story/horror film Thirst.

Gist: Here is the drama’s logline thus far: “After India’s father mysteriously dies and her estranged uncle comes to live with her and her mother, people start to go missing in her hometown and India discovers that her uncle may be the cause.” It sounds like a perfect fit for Park Chan-Wook, who is known for his edgy explorations of the human psyche.

Worth Noting: So far, no names have been solidly attached to the role of the Uncle, however, Pajiba did report Stoker is on Johnny Depp’s long list of possible acting vehicles.

Do We Care?: We most certainly do. Casting is a definite plus. Despite her years, Mulligan is fine talent who thankfully hasn’t been pigeon-holed into one specific genre. Along with The Beaver, Foster might be demonstrating a new affinity for edgier material. And possibly Johnny Depp? No comment necessary. Plus, this could be Park Chan-Wook’s chance to appeal to a larger demo.