Toyer Close For De Palma

After six years of trying, Brian De Palma attempts to create an adaptation Gardner McKay's novel/play Toyer has taken a positive turn after teaming up with indie producers Tarak Ben Ammar and Scott Steindorff to get it off the ground.

The film centres on the 'crimes' of a serial lunatic who abducts and psychologically manipulates female victims - but never crossing the boundary of physically harming them. Once revealing his intent to taunt, he places them under a medically induced coma.

The catch for the LA authorities is that they cannot make a capital charge stick; with the ability only to lodge him down as causing 'mayhem'. But as it is the LA bureau are up to their knees in uncleared murders cases, the Toyer case slips through the net. Cue a female neurologist, treating the trauma of his victims, to team up with a newspaper editor in attempt to snare a confession that can bring him to justice.

The latest version that has been produced will see a relocation from LA to Venice. The film will be backgrounded by the Carnevale di Venezia in which all of Venice traditionally adorn disguise on the street to distort the social order in time of celebration. Cue mind tripping visuals (Eyes Wide Shut]

"It has all the elements of suspense that Brian does so well in films like Blow Out and Carrie," Steindorff says, adding, "And by that I mean, it's really frickin' scary: I read the script on a plane, and I was still terrified."