The release of a new Quentin Tarantino movie is a ceremonial event, and the famed director puts so much work into each of his projects that it usually takes years for him to release a new movie. It seems that his next film will be about the Manson murders, creating sort of a biopic about the recently departed psychotic cult leader. While immortalizing such a sinister man may not sit right with some, a movie will still be made, and that means that someone will have to star as Charles Manson.

1. Eli Roth

While Eli Roth might not be the spitting image of Charles Manson, I’m sure that with a wig and a fake beard he could give a performance so bone chilling that we forget about that small fact. Tarantino is notorious for reusing the same actors over and over, so it would make sense for Roth to be on his shortlist. He’s a horror icon that would absolutely love to play a mass murderer, and would certainly to his best in the role.

2. Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal looks a little more like Manson with his hair all grown out, and he knows how to play a maniac as well as Eli Roth does. Gyllenhaal basically started his career by playing someone who was mentally insane in Donnie Darko, and I think that taking this project would be a chance for him to go back to his roots. He’s a big star who could bring a lot of attention to what is already promised to be an excellent film, and while Tarantino has never worked with him before, it’s about time that he accesses the rich talent pool he has at his fingertips.

3. James Franco

James Franco may be doing mostly comedic roles lately, but you can’t forget how good of a serious actor he is. Franco is somewhat of a method actor, and I think that he could really dive into the mind of lunatic enough to give everyone a believable performance. He could look similar to Manson with the right hairstyle, and could learn to be just as cringeworthy as the man himself.

4. Casey Affleck

The youngest Affleck brother looks incredibly similar to Charles Manson, and that alone could land him the role. Aside from that, Casey has shown immense range between many of his roles, and carries himself in a quiet, yet unsettling demeanor that could be compared to Manson’s. Putting him in the role after his recent Oscar bid would be extremely smart for all parties involved, and could potentially give the film the best Charles Manson it could get.

5. Jim Sturgess

Sturgess might not be the biggest possible name to put in the leading role, but I do think that he could give an exemplary performance. He’s not altogether unknown, and while he’s not exactly a movie star, he does resemble the man in question a good deal. I’m not sure if he’s played a character as off their rocker as Charles Manson, but he’s a fantastic actor, and I’m sure that he would be up to the challenge.

6. Colin Farrell

With the right kind of hair and makeup, Farrell would be able to look eerily similar to Charles Manson, and has played many villains of all types throughout his career. While he may not have played a character that is as sinister as Manson, I’m willing to bet that he could absolutely nail it if given the chance. He’s a popular actor and a well known movie star, and putting him in this role could be a good way for the studio to drum up a larger audience.

7. Bill Skarsgård

Skarsgård might not seem to have any resemblance to Manson, but he knows how to play creepy roles like no other person on the planet. Given the recent success of the IT remake, and him being in the title role, he could very well be a contender for the role. With a little movie magic to make him look like the famous criminal, I’m sure that Skarsgård could be an excellent fit to play the sinister cult leader.

8. Wes Bentley

This is another case of the actor being great for the role, yet not being a huge movie star. Despite that fact, Tarantino is known for using actors that would be better for roles as opposed to those who may be a bigger star, and Bentley could certainly do great in the role. He looks like Manson, he has played characters that aren’t altogether there mentally, and he has a dark and sinister aura about him. What more could you ask for?

9. Evan Peters

If you watched the newest season of American Horror Story, then you’ve already seen Evan Peters play Charles Manson. He did an excellent job of it, and is a big enough name to play the character in a movie. There is always room for improvement however, and with more time to prepare for only the one character, Peters would be sure to give an even better performance than he previously did.

10. Josh Hartnett

While he hasn’t done much of anything recently, Josh Hartnett would be a prime contender for Charles Manson just based on look and talent alone. Hartnett is an extremely versatile actor, and could play any role you put in front of him. He might not be an actor that comes right to mind when you think of a murderous psychopath, but I have faith that he could do extremely well in the role, and he’s the type of older, cerebral actor that Tarantino may be wanting for the film.

What do you think? Who should play Charles Manson? Let me know jacobcraig608@yahoo.com!