March 12, 2001
People
Insider
by Tom Cunneff, additional reporting by Hugh McCarten and Marisa Laudadio

In the '80s John Malkovich tried to get The Talented Mr. Ripley made, but numerous problems arose, and it never happened. (Matt Damon eventually starred in the 1999 film.) Now Malkovich is getting his chance to play Tom Ripley. Production on Ripley's Game, the third book in the series by Patricia Highsmith about the psychopathic imposter, began in January in Italy. Malkovich was eager to get into the character since he spent much of last year directing The Dancer Upstairs, a thriller. "It was about time to go back to my day job," he says.

Thanks to Melanie for the find!