According to The Hollywood Reporter, former Doctor Who star Matt Smith is set to play Charles Manson in Charlie Says, a Manson-inspired movie that is totally separate from Quentin Tarantino’s Manson-inspired movie. This one comes from the American Psycho directing/writing team of Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner, and it was first announced back in 2016 as a “procedural” take on the Manson Family murders with a particular focus on Leslie Van Houten and the other “Manson girls.”
The Hollywood Reporter expands on that, saying it’ll be about the women who were initially given the death sentence following the murders and then began working with graduate student Karlene Faith as they began to “face the reality of their horrific crimes.” In addition to Smith, Charlie Says will star Hannah Murray, Marianne Rendon, Cara Gugino, Kaylie Carter, Suki Waterhouse, and Merritt Wever.
It’s too early to say how Smith’s portrayal of the famous cult leader may differ from anyone else’s take, but his prior experience playing someone many other people have already played implies that Smith’s Manson will be slightly more quirky and fun-loving than those who came before him, possibly with an additional focus on a silly fashion accessory and floppy hair.