5 Things Cape Girardeau is looking forward to with the 'Gone Girl' movie

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We are less than a month away from the premiere of "Gone Girl," and there may be no town more anxious for its arrival than Cape Girardeau. The movie's production was the talk of the town, but what has us excited now? Here are a few things that have us "Gone Girl" wild:

5. Director David Fincher

"Gone Girl" director David Fincher.

If you want a director who can take a novel to the silver screen, you need to look no further than Fincher. The acclaimed director's take on the popular novel "Fight Club" was so good that even the author of the novel, Chuck Palahniuk, admitted that the movie was an improvement on the book. Fincher continued to dole out winning translations of acclaimed writers with movies like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Social Network" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

4. Author-turned-screenwriter Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn, author of "Gone Girl." (AP file)

You loved the Missouri native's twisted tale of marriage and deception, but maybe you were nervous about how the novel would fit on the big screen. Fear not, Flynn is not only the book's author but the lone screenwriter for the film. A seasoned writer, Flynn is the first author to script his or her own story for David Fincher, but if you think this means the movie will just be more of the same, beware. Flynn has promised a fresh ending just to keep us on our toes.

3. The Cast (Three letters: NPH!)

Neil Patrick Harris (AP/file)

Nick Dunne is charming and cocky. He's also awkward and troubled. And it's hard to imagine anyone who can pull off smarmy and insecure as well as Ben Affleck. The actor-director-writer has evolved into a Hollywood powerhouse and seems made for the lead role. The beautiful Rosamund Pike turned heads in "Jack Reacher" and has the looks and acting chops to play the bipolar Amy Dunne. But let's be honest, Neil Patrick Harris's take on Desi Collings may be one of the most exciting casting choices in the film. We know the award-winning actor can pull off the tailored suit better than almost anyone, but now we get to see how well he accessorizes with a chilling brand of sadism.

2. The Extras

Extras participate in the filming of "Gone Girl" on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

OK, so this may not be on very many lists, but for those of us who live in Southeast Missouri there is a great amount of anticipation to see our friends and neighbors as they pass by the other side of the camera. Mr. Fincher and crew relied heavily on the locals to populate the necessary scenes, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't even the least bit anxious to see a familiar face sitting a few bar stools down from Ben Affleck.

1. The setting

"Gone Girl" film crew members spray fake snow on the lawn and steps of the Common Pleas Courthouse on Oct. 11 in Cape Girardeau. More images are in a gallery at semissourian.com. (Laura Simon)

Even if we don't recognize a single face (aside from those of the stars), there will be plenty of familiar scenery. With the mighty Mississippi winding alongside downtown, there will be more than enough shots of Cape Girardeau to make us feel right at home. We have good reason to be proud of our presence in the film. David Fincher regarded filming in Cape as "extraordinary," and Gillian Flynn has been noted as saying that Cape Girardeau was the town she had in mind when she wrote the book. We locals know that it's hard to walk through our town and not be inspired; now we can feel justified when we see Cape Girardeau on the silver screen with a great director, a great cast and a great story to do it justice.

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If you like this story, be sure to check out the semissourian.com's Gone Girl page and follow the "Gone Girl Cape Girardeau" Facebook page for more news and information relating to the movie.

See also:

5 actors you may not know in the movie 'Gone Girl'

Director Fincher talks with Southeast Missourian about life behind camera.

Author Gillian Flynn tells the Southeast Missourian about her Missouri roots.