Movie 'Gone Girl' may film in Cape; David Fincher in talks to direct

Cape Girardeau appears to be the destination for the shooting of a major motion picture, one that could bring one of Hollywood's most renowned directors to town.

A location scout for 20th Century Fox was in Cape Girardeau recently, contacting building owners. The Southeast Missourian obtained the business card from a homeowner in the 200 block of Good Hope Street with the name of a "location manager" and the movie title, "Gone Girl."

When contacted by phone, the scout said he was not authorized to discuss the project with the media. He asked that his name not be made public.

After making inquiries to city officials, Convention and Visitors Bureau director Chuck Martin said he could not confirm that a movie was coming to Cape Girardeau, but said a major announcement was expected at the CVB on Tuesday.

"Between now and then," Martin said, "I expect details to be finalized that would allow me to comment definitively at that time whether a motion picture will be coming to Cape."

Tuesday's meeting, not a news conference but rather an informal gathering of select news media, will be at 3:30 p.m. at the CVB building, Martin said.

20th Century Fox's production of the film originates from the best-selling thriller novel "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. Published in June 2012, the plot of the novel centers on the difficult marriage of writers Nick and Amy Dunne and whether Nick killed his wife on the couple's five-year anniversary.

The book topped The New York Times Hardcover Fiction Best Seller list for eight weeks, and spent 26 weeks on National Public Radio's hardcover fiction best-seller list. By the end of its first year in publication, "Gone Girl" had sold more than two million copies in print and digital editions, according to the book's publisher, Crown Publishing Group. The book is set in a Missouri town on the Mississippi River.

The film adaptation of "Gone Girl" is believed to include David Fincher, director of films such as "Fight Club," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Social Network" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." It has been reported on variety.com that Fincher is in talks to direct the film, and Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is a co-producer, according to hollywoodreporter.com. Casting decisions on who will play the lead roles and other characters in the movie have yet to be announced.

Martin said motion picture companies, to receive state tax credits, must provide receipts after their project is completed.

The movie "Killshot," based on an Elmore Leonard novel and starring Thomas Jane, Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke, was partially filmed in Cape Girardeau in 2006. It went to DVD after a limited release, but drew large crowds of spectators during local filming.

Martin said "Killshot" produced a $750,000 impact on the city.

"The CVB looks at projects with a different eye," Martin said. "While we watch movies, it boils down to the impact in the short-term and the long-term. 'Killshot' was a great project for us to get our feet wet. And people around the industry have contacts and talk. And 'Killshot' probably benefited us for future projects."

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

bmiller@semissourian.com

388-3625

Pertinent address:

200 block of Good Hope Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.