True-crime drama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile is not a celebration of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. Or so says Zac Efron.
Variety caught up with the actor recently to discuss every aspect of what is undoubtedly his most complex performance to date, though Efron was quick to stress that his feature, one helmed by Joe Berlinger of Paradise Lost, won’t glorify the indecent actions of Bundy, nor will it serve as a celebration of his crimes. Instead, Efron believes Extremely Wicked falls into the bracket of a “psychological” study in that it takes audience members up close and personal with a deranged individual.
I feel a responsibility to make sure that this movie is not a celebration of Ted Bundy. Or a glorification of him. But, definitely, a psychological study of who this person was. In that, there’s honesty.
In related news, we’ve just caught wind from Sundance that Netflix shelled out $9 million (!) to acquire U.S. distribution rights for Extremely Wicked. The landmark deal is said to include a number of international territories, too, and subscribers will find that the Joe Berlinger-directed feature film will make a welcome (if unsettling) follow-up to The Ted Bundy Tapes currently streaming on the platform.
Here’s the official blurb for the Zac Efron-fronted movie:
Directed by Joe Berlinger, the film chronicles the crimes of Ted Bundy, from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who refused to believe the truth about him for years. Lily Collins plays Kloepfer, while Haley Joel Osment, Kaya Scodelario, John Malkovich and Jim Parsons round out the cast.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is hoping to fast-track Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile so that it’s primed and ready for the 2019 awards season. Expect an online release sometime this fall.