‘Dead Man’s Wire‘ Cast Detail Gus Van Sant‘s Collaborative Process, Unexpected Comedy in 1977 Hostage Drama
LOS ANGELES, CA – The cast and filmmakers behind gus Van Sant’s upcoming feature, Dead Man’s Wire, are revealing insights into the film’s unique development and surprising tonal shifts, stemming from a real-life 1977 hostage situation in Indianapolis. The film, based on the story of Tony Kiritsis holding bank manager Richard O’Brien hostage while broadcasting demands live on the radio, is emerging as a blend of tense drama and dark comedy, a direction fostered by Van Sant’s unconventional approach.
Screenwriter Austin Kolodney discovered the story through YouTube footage of Kiritsis marching O’Brien through snowy streets. ”How’s this not been made into a movie yet?” Kolodney reportedly asked himself, recognizing the “drama, the tension and also the dark comedy of crime that happened live on the airwaves” as ripe for adaptation. He called securing Van Sant’s involvement “a miracle.”
Actor Montgomery, who portrays Richard O’Brien, described Van Sant’s directing style as a liberating force. Despite being cast to play a 56-year-old character while being 30, Montgomery found the process “malleable” and “ever-evolving,” a departure from his typically meticulous character preparation. “Gus kind of forces you to think outside of that,” Montgomery explained, noting the character and story continued to develop throughout filming as Van Sant found inspiration.
oscar nominee Domingo, playing a local radio DJ brought into the negotiations, emphasized the film’s relevance to contemporary issues. “It’s vital for us to tell these stories, because it’s really about an everyman feeling like they have no resources or any agency in the world,” Domingo stated. He believes examining the humanity of those involved can help prevent similar situations, arguing, “We need to tell stories like that again and again.”
Bill skarsgård, who plays Tony Kiritsis and was unavailable for the recent press event due to filming in Australia, was lauded by Montgomery for fostering a surprising connection between the actors that mirrored the dynamic of their characters. “We spent a month in a room together, connected by a piece of wire, and I haven’t honestly made a better friend in a cast mate ever,” montgomery shared. He added that their developing relationship “bled into tony and Dick’s relationship, and I think it humanized Tony as the little man who’s trying to confront capitalism and all of the topical things that we’re talking about as a movie.” Montgomery noted the film initially read as a drama thriller but evolved into “an irreverent dark comedy.”
Myha’la, also a member of the cast, highlighted the challenging physical conditions of the shoot, filming in the dead of winter in Kentucky. She praised Skarsgård and montgomery for their dedication, enduring hours in freezing temperatures while wearing minimal clothing. She also expressed a strong desire to impress Van Sant, stating, “He gives you that vibe like you just want to make him proud.”