With production on the new cinematic treatment of Stephen King’s Carrie set to commence in a month, director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss) and lead Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) have been talking recently about their “updated” take on the iconic coming-of-age horror story.
Meanwhile, MGM has confirmed previous rumors that Julianne Moore was being eyed to portray Margaret White (Carrie’s mom) in the film – by formerly offering the part to the multi-Oscar-nominated actress. Whether she accepts or passes on the role, Moore is expected to make her decision very soon.
Moretz was working the press junket for Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows when she offered the following, concerning her and Peirce’s shared approach to the troubling tale of Carietta “Carrie” White (via Coming Soon):
“I’m actually not looking at [Brian De Palma’s 1976 ‘Carrie’ adaptation], even though De Palma’s movie was one of the best movies ever made. It’s completely iconic and I’m proud to be able to be doing a retooling of it. We’re kind of going off the book. It’s darker and much more psychological. More ‘Black Swan.’ You’re really looking into her mind and it really looks into the relationship of Margaret and Carrie. It’s set in modern time, so it’s a lot different.”
On the topic of Moretz’ planned physical appearance as Carrie:
“It’s something that’s very different from me. It’s an out of body thing. I’m becoming a totally different person for it. I’m letting go of all of my self-esteem issues and just kind of going into it. You have to.”
Peirce previously revealed that Moretz is also going so far as to sew her own dresses to portray Carrie, in order to better capture the social aloofness of the character. Moretz has already proven herself to be a talented and versatile actress, but it sounds as though she’s especially committed to her latest portrayal of a disaffected (to say the least…) adolescent.
That’s all to say: even though certain moviegoers may always associate Sissy Spacek with the role of Carrie, Moretz should still leave a good impression, even when compared to “the original” (see: Moretz in Let Me In versus Lina Leandersson in Let the Right One In).
Similarly, while Piper Laurie is well-renowned for her Oscar-nominated turn as Carrie’s mentally-unsound, religious fanatic mother, Moore taking on that role sounds pretty promising. That also goes for the rumored runner-up for the part (should Moore take a pass), Jodie Foster.
The task of making Margaret White feel like she could be a real person, in a 21st century context – without coming off as just a gross stereotype – is tricky, but Peirce has already proven that she knows how to bring depth to otherwise two-dimensional villains, especially when collaborating with a great actor (see: Peter Sarsgaard’s character in Boys Don’t Cry). So that too is encouraging.
Carrie is scheduled for theatrical release in the U.S. on March 15th, 2013.
–
