Clint Mansell is scoring the upcoming psychological thriller Stoker. The film is helmed by Korean director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) and stars Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Dermot Mulroney and Jacki Weaver. The Fox Searchlight Pictures production centers on a teenage girl who must deal with the unexpected appearance of a mysterious uncle following the death of her father. Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) has written the film’s script under the pseudonym Ted Foulke. Ridley and Tony Scott, as well as Michael Costigan (Being Flynn, Smart People) are producing the director’s first English language feature film through their Scott Free Productions company. It has previously been reported that Academy Award-winner Philip Glass was involved as the composer of the mystery thriller earlier this year. Mansell is currently recording his music for Stoker at Air Studios in London. No word yet on a release date for the film, but a premiere at one of the major film festivals this year appears likely.
SlashFilm have a slightly extended comment on the potential release for the film…
When you’ve got the director of Oldboy making an intimate vampire film, you know the score will be as important as the lead actors. In the case of Park Chan-wook‘s English-language debut, Stoker, that certainly seems to be the case. He’s recruited Clint Mansell to score the film, which stars Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and Alice in Wonderland herself, Mia Waskiowska, in the story of a girl and her mother who, after the death of the father, reunite with his mysterious brother, who is rumored to be a vampire. Hence the Bram Stoker-influenced title.
Mansell is best known for his work with Darren Aronofsky on Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler and Black Swan but he’s provided memorable music for films like Moon and Smokin’ Aces too.
Film Music Reporter (via The Playlist) broke the news of Mansell’s joining the film and say he actually replaced Phillip Glass for an undisclosed reason. Mansell is currently in London recording the score.
Stoker, which was written by Prison Break star Wentworth Miller, also stars Matthew Goode, Jacki Weaver and Dermot Mulroney. There’s no word on when the film might be scheduled for release but as the 2012 calendar is pretty well set, 2013 is all but a certainty.
Considering its pedigree, cast, and now composer, Stoker has got to be rising up the ranks of potential awards contenders next year and several sites surmise a premiere at a major film festival, possibly Toronto, would be the perfect launching point. We’ll have to wait and see.