Scarlett Johansson Set to Play ‘Psycho’ Star Janet Leigh in Upcoming Hitchcock Biopic

Scarlet Johansson is checking into the Bates Motel.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the world’s most famous shower scene is about to be re-staged, with Johansson stepping into the tub as Janet Leigh in the upcoming biopic “Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho.”

The NY Daily writes that the movie, based on a nonfiction book by Stephen Rebello, will follow Hitchcock’s struggle to produce the iconic work.

Studios showed little interest in the horror flick, largely due to its unprecedented depiction of sexuality and violence during an era accustomed to the modesty regulated by the industry’s production codes.

After studios balked, Hitchcock independently pulled together a budget of $800,000 to produce what is now one of the most influential and widely known thrillers of all time.

Besides Scar-Jo, Anthony Hopkins is attached to play Hitchcock and Helen Mirren will play the filmmaker’s wife, Alma Reville. James D’Arcy will appear as Anthony Perkins, who of course played Norman Bates, whose unhealthy obsession with Leigh’s character ended in a bloody mess.

Filming is expected to begin this year with Sacha Gervasi (“Anvil! The Story of Anvil”) directing a script from John McLaughlin, who penned Natalie Portman’s psychological thriller Black Swan.

In addition to her Psycho role and playing Black Widow in next summer’s “The Avengers,” Johansson is also slated to play an alien in Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin.”

Check out the latest trailer for “The Avengers” below:

Readers, let us know: Do you think Scarlett Johansson is a good choice to play Janet Leigh in the upcoming Hitchcock biopic?

via THR