When Jim Parsons surprised everyone with his role in the 2019 biographical crime drama, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Starting his career in the early 2000s, Jim Parsons had a major breakout with his role in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor portrayed Sheldon Cooper, a role that made him a household name and earned him widespread recognition, including four Emmy Awards.
Despite his success with the show and lovable yet eccentric Sheldon Cooper, he continued taking on a range of diverse roles. However, Parsons shocked everyone when he took on a role in the chilling 2019 biographical crime drama, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a stark departure from his sitcom roots.
Jim Parsons’ Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile role that no one saw coming
Popularly known for his iconic role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons made a move no one saw coming, taking on a role in a shockingly dark crime drama.
While he had proven his versatility in projects like Hollywood and Hidden Figures, nothing could have prepared audiences for his appearance in the chilling 2019 biographical film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.
Based on the memoir The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, the film told the story of Ted Bundy from the perspective of his former girlfriend, Elizabeth Kendall, and featured Parsons in a role unlike anything he’d ever done before.
Portraying Larry Simpson, the lead prosecutor in Bundy’s infamous 1979 trial, Parsons took a drastic step away from his comedic roots. His casting was as surprising as that of Zac Efron, who played Bundy himself, a stark contrast from his heartthrob image.
The decision to take on such a serious role was a bold career move for Parsons, shocking fans who had long associated him with the quirky, lovable Sheldon. By stepping into the world of true crime, Parsons shattered expectations and proved his willingness to break free from typecasting, making Extremely Wicked one of the most unexpected roles of his career.
And despite having a small role, the Emmy-winning actor still shined in his performance that stood out from his previous work. While the film garnered mixed reviews and earned $9 million (Box Office Mojo) from its limited theatrical release, Parsons received widespread praise for his portrayal.
Jim Parsons explained why he joined Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jim Parsons shared the reason he accepted the role of Larry Simpson in the 2019 crime drama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, explaining that it was Zac Efron’s casting that inspired him to join the project.
“I wanted to do Extremely Wicked was because as soon as I heard that Zac Efron was playing Ted Bundy, I thought yeah I’m completely on board for that,” he said, explaining that he was excited to see an actor take on a role that was completely different from their usual public image.
Parsons also shared that he was also excited about the opportunity to play a character based on a real person. He explained,
The exciting thing about playing a real person or a character based on a real person who’s discussing real events is that it, to me at least, gives it such an extra amount of weight that needs not your invention. You don’t have to bring that to it, all you have to do is accept it as the truth that it is.
He described his experience of starring in the movie as “extremely rewarding,” sharing that fighting for justice against the notorious serial killer felt cathartic.
“I felt pretty cleansed by the end of it,” he said while explaining that playing a character on the side of justice gave him a sense of closure, almost like he had done everything he could to bring Bundy to justice.
