The stories of author Patricia Highsmith have made some devilish and entertaining films in the past. She is responsible for tales that inspired such films as Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Now, via THR, word is coming out that Highsmith‘s novel Deep Water is being turned into a film which will be penned by writer Zach Helm.
The novel, published in 1957, follows the story of a suburban couple that agrees to have an open marriage as a means of avoiding a divorce. However, things take a turn for the unpleasant when the wife’s lovers begin to disappear. Helms has made a name for himself with screenplays for films such as Stranger Than Fiction and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, which he also directed.
Considering both of those films’ blending of whimsy and oddity with a dash of drama, the pairing of Helms with Highsmith’s twisted sense of drama makes some degree of sense. Currently, Helms is working on Freezing People is Easy, an adaptation of a book by Robert Nelson entitled We Froze the First Man. That film will star Christopher Walken, Kristen Wiig, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson with Errol Morris directing.
Deep Water is being produced by Steven Zallian and is being executive produced by Guymon Cassidy and Mike Nichols, who was previously said to be directing but is no longer attached in that capacity. No word has been given yet on who will take his place.
Do you think that Helms is a good fit for this material, and who would you fan-cast as director if you were given the shot?