Matt Damon For "Torso"

From all the possible projects Fincher has lined up for the time after "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" now there is new buzz about another serial killer project: the movie adaptation of graphic novel "Torso" -- with Damon possibly taking on the leading role.

Over the last couple of days several sources have sprung up, quoting Matt Damon as either a rumored actor for the movie or even confirming him for the role of Eliot Ness. What gives these reports credibility is that they are accompanied by comments from producer Bill Mechanic, referring to financing strategies in seeking tax cuts from state authorities for shooting in Cleveland. According to these sources shooting is scheduled to begin as early as January of 2009.

The budget of the film is rumored to be around $100 million, probably largely due to the vfx recreation of the 1930s era. And it is interesting to see, how bargaining over the financing aspects behind the scenes can affect productions moving forward or not.

"Torso tells the story of the real life 'Torso Murderer', a serial killer who was active during 1934 to 1938. He received his nickname because he left only the torsos of his victims. Without fingerprints or dental records, these victims were very difficult to identify in a time before DNA testing. The investigator on the case was Eliot Ness, Cleveland chief of police and former head of the Untouchables."

Sounds all great to me. As long as Fincher doesn't cast Ben Affleck as the Torso Killer ...

Some links to this topic:

RopeOfSilicon: Matt Damon Starring as Eliot Ness
Cleveland.com: Paramount Studios seeks economic incentives ...