Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile is a biographical crime drama film about serial killer Ted Bundy that was released in 2019. The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, directed by Joe Berlinger and written by Michael Werwie, is based on Bundy’s former girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall’s memoir.
Bundy is played by Zac Efron, Kendall is played by Lily Collins, Bundy’s wife Carole Ann Boone is played by Kaya Scodelario, and Edward Cowart, the presiding judge at Bundy’s trial is played by John Malkovich. Cowart’s words on Bundy’s murders before condemning him to death are referenced in the film’s title.
On January 26, 2019, Netflix premiered Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, which had its global premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and was released in the United States on May 3, 2019. Critics gave the picture mixed reviews, however, Efron’s performance was appreciated.
With Zac Efron starring as serial killer Ted Bundy and documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger directing, the movie was announced during the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Lily Collins was cast as Bundy’s girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall in October 2017.
John Malkovich was cast as Edward Cowart, the judge hearing over Bundy’s case, in January 2018. On January 18, 2018, principal photography began in Covington, Kentucky. Throughout the month of January, Angela Sarafyan, Jeffrey Donovan, Grace Victoria Cox, Kaya Scodelario, Jim Parsons, Haley Joel Osment, Dylan Baker, and Terry Kinney joined the cast, followed by Metallica guitarist and lead singer James Hetfield in February.
On January 26, 2019, the film made its international debut at the Sundance Film Festival. Netflix bought the American distribution rights to the film for $9 million shortly after. On May 3, 2019, it was released digitally on the platform, coupled with a limited theatrical release.
The picture was released theatrically in numerous foreign markets, grossing a total of $9.8 million, with Mexico ($5.6 million) and Italy ($1.1 million) being the most profitable.
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