Anna Kendrick leads true story of serial killer who did TV’s The Dating Game

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Anna Kendrick is attached to a new project that has received all of my attention because I'm a true crime junkie. The actress is attached to the newly acquired Netflix package, Rodney & Cheryl. The package is built around Ian MacAllister McDonald's Black List script that is based on the true story of the time that serial killer Rodney Alcala competed on and won a date on the popular TV game show The Dating Game. Alcala was in the midst of a killing spree in 1978 when he brazenly appeared on the show. Kendrick is set to play Cheryl Bradshaw, the contestant that chose Alcala.

Chloe Okuno is attached to direct and the film will revolve around the events of the game show that Alcala appeared on. In a story that feels scripted but is ultimately shockingly real, Alcala had murdered five women and been convicted of the attempted murder of a 12-year-old girl, at the time he secured a spot on the show. Background checks were more lax in 1978 and Alcala was able to slip through the cracks. Alcala was also a charming individual, at first glance, and that's how he tended to gain the trust of his victims. Bradshaw and Alcala hit it off on the show where Bradshaw asked him questions like, "I'm serving you for dinner. What are you called and what do you look like?" Alcala responded to the latter, saying, "I'm called the banana and I look good." "Can you be a little more descriptive?" Bradshaw asked Alcala. "Peel me," he said, which caused the audience to erupt in laughter. You can check out a clip from their Dating Game segment below!

On The Dating Game, a beautiful woman would have to choose between three men that were hidden behind a partition. The men were chosen based on their flirtatious banter with the eligible bachelorette. Bradshaw and Alcala hit it off based on their back and forth innuendo, which was a signature of the show at the time, and she ultimately chose Alcala for the date. I won't give away the outcome in case some aren't familiar with the story but it's probably one of the most intriguing serial killer stories of the period and it showcases how guys like this alluded capture for so long which allowed them to commit even more crimes. When it was all said and done, detectives believe that Alcala may have killed as many as 130 people.

Are YOU interested in seeing Rodney and Cheryl?