Brittany Murphy had a long and successful career even by the age of 32, when she collapsed in the shower and reportedly died of complications from pneumonia. Her death in 2009 shocked millions, and her fans seemed at a loss. Now, good news has come out of Oregon, where her last movie was filmed right before she died: the film, “Something Wicked”, will be released very soon.
The indie is described as a “hauntingly seductive thriller about obsession and young love gone wrong” and also stars Julian Morris of “Pretty Little Liars”. Due to a small budget, the movie will only be released in limited theaters at first, starting with Eugene, Oregon before moving on to Portland and Seattle. Producers are counting on word of mouth to help spread the word and encourage success.
“Something Wicked will hit theaters beginning April 4 in Eugene, Oregon (to honor where we were shot) at the Regal Valley River Center 15! We’ll roll out to several Regal Cinemas in Portland and Seattle the following weeks, with more theaters to come. The better we do in theaters, the more cities will be added so we need your help getting the word out. Full press release to be posted shortly. Stay Wicked!” reads the film’s Facebook page.
Bizarre stories about Murphy’s death began to make their way around the web last year, including one from her father that suggested she may have been poisoned. Murphy’s husband, Simon Monjack, died just five months after she did after showing some of the same symptoms, which led to Murphy’s father requesting tests from samples of her hair and other materials. The tests reportedly showed high levels of heavy metals, which are commonly found in rat poison. However, his claims have not been confirmed.
“Vicious rumors, spread by tabloids, unfairly smeared Brittany’s reputation,” said Angelo Bertolotti. “My daughter was neither anorexic nor a drug junkie, as they repeatedly implied. Brittany and Simon were ridiculed by The Hollywood Reporter, when they complained of being under surveillance and in fear for their lives. I will not rest until the truth about these tragic events is told. There will be justice for Brittany.”
Murphy had many roles in her all-too short career, but those close to this film are saying it’s one of her best. One scene, in particular, will get the audience’s attention.
“Brittany pulled off one of the spookiest scenes in the movie,” producer and screenwriter Joe Colleran said. “There’s an important scene where her character is unraveling and she spent a long time getting ready and focused and went for it. Personally, I think it’s one of the best scenes of her career.”
Image via Wikimedia Commons