Stoker (2013) | Presenting Hitchcock Podcast

Gooooood evening. In this month’s episode of Presenting Hitchcock, Cory and Aaron have a good old family reunion as they discuss Stoker.

Written by: Wentworth Miller

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Phyllis Somerville, Alden Ehrenreich, Jacki Weaver, Lucas Till, and Dermot Mulroney

Directed by: Park Chan-wook

Trailer:

Our Favourite Trivia:

Hitchcock comparisons:

• Shadow of a Doubt
• Psycho
• Rebecca
• Rope
• Frenzy

This was the first screenplay by Wentworth Miller, he released the script under the pseudonym of Ted Foulke. He has also written a prequel script called Uncle Charlie.

Colin Firth, James Franco, Joel Edgerton, and Michael Fassbender were considered for the role of Uncle Charlie. Firth was cast, but he dropped out and was replaced by Matthew Goode. Carey Mulligan, Kristen Stewart, Rooney Mara, Emily Browning, Emma Roberts, Bella Heathcote and Ashley Greene were considered to play India Stoker. Carey Mulligan was cast and dropped out, being replaced by Mia Wasikowska. Jodie Foster was also cast as Evie, but was later replaced with Nicole Kidman.

Nicole Kidman originally turned down the role of Evelyn because she had just wrapped up filming The Paperboy (2012) and wished to spend time with her husband and kids. But, director Park Chan-wook was so eager to have her in the film that he chose to shoot just five minutes from her home in Nashville, TN, which allowed her to begin filming.

The lead actresses – Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman and Jacki Weaver are all Australian.

At their first meeting to discuss her role in this film, director Park Chan-wook gave Mia Wasikowska a copy of John Everett Millais’s 1851 picture The Bridesmaid: a lurid triangle of golden curls gushing from her face, dark eyes upturned with loaded expectation. He also gave her a stone statue of a jaguar: “to signify the predator motif he wanted to bring to the film”.

Initially, India was to wear shoes with leopard print, in order to be representative of a predator. The production was unable to find such a pair and considered snake print, before they discovered crocodile Louboutins.

Composer Philip Glass was originally hired to compose the film’s score but was replaced by Clint Mansell. Two of Glass’ compositions for piano are still included in the finished film.

Dedicated to Tony Scott who committed suicide during production.

The Random Draw for Next Picture:

Next up, we’ll be discussing Femme Fatale.

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