Less than a week ahead of the world premiere of her latest film, “Alice, Darling,” word comes that Anna Kendrick is stepping behind the camera. Deadline reports that the Oscar-nominated actress will make her directorial debut with “The Dating Game.” She’ll also star in and produce the true crime pic.
Previously titled “Rodney & Sheryl,” “The Dating Game” is “based on the stranger-than-fiction true story of Cheryl Bradshaw, who was a bachelorette on the hit 70s TV matchmaking show ‘The Dating Game’ and chose handsome and funny bachelor number one, Rodney Alcala. But behind Alcala’s charming façade was a deadly secret: he was a psychopathic serial killer,” the source teases.
“I’ve loved this script from the moment I read it,” Kendrick said. “And while I was obviously thrilled to be playing the character of Sheryl, I felt so connected to the story, the tone, and the themes around gender and intimacy, that when the opportunity came up to direct the film, I jumped at it. It feels meant to be.”
“Watcher’s” Chloe Okuno was originally attached to direct.
“Alice, Darling” debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival September 11. The drama about a woman in an abusive relationship marks Mary Nighy’s feature debut. Kendrick recently shared her personal experience of being emotionally abused and explained why the film’s story resonated with her.
In 2010 Kendrick received an Oscar nod for her supporting role in “Up in the Air.” Her other credits include the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, which grossed nearly $600 million worldwide, and “A Simple Favor,” a dark comedy with a sequel on the way.
