The director is seeking the "Jack Reacher" actress to play the female lead opposite Ben Affleck in the hit novel adaptation, which will be co-financed 50-50 by 20th Century Fox and New Regency.
Ben Affleck has taken the mystery out of who will star in David Fincher's twisty whodunit Gone Girl. But apropos of the subject matter, Gone Girl still has a few riddles to unfurl before its planned September shoot.
But still remaining to be cast is the titular missing wife, which would be a juicy and high-profile role for a thirty-something actress. A project insider dismisses the possibility of Charlize Theron taking on the project, as had been reported. "Charlize is not doing this movie," emphasizes the source. A studio insider also rules out Natalie Portman -- who had been in the mix to star in Fincher's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo before he cast Rooney Mara -- and Emily Blunt as potential candidates due to their availability. Reese Witherspoon, who optioned the book last summer via her Type A production company, is on board as a producer only and will not star.
"There's no shortage of women interested, [and it] will just come down to who Fincher wants," the studio source notes. Jack Reacher co-star Rosamund Pike, whose name has never been mentioned in conjunction with Gone Girl, is said to be the latest contender.
Also a question mark is the shape of the screenplay, which is considered to be a particularly tricky adaptation given that much of the first half of the book is told through diary entries. Flynn is adapting, though the author has not penned a screenplay before. But the project insider says at this point there is no need for an expensive 11th-hour rewrite. "Gillian is taking it all the way with David," the insider insists. "They've found a great rhythm together."
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A friend of mine suggested this book and I still haven't read it :P But reading the comments, it seems Emily and Natalie are not people's favourite and Charlize just gives a too bitchy vibe to pull off the role. Personally, I like Rosamund Pike as well too :)