Casting for killers

Benicio Del Toro as Richard Ramirez

In 1984 and 1985, Ricardo “Richard” Ramirez, right, committed a series of abductions, rapes and robberies that terrorized Californians from Orange County to San Francisco. Media dubbed him “The Night Stalker.” “21 Grams” star Benicio Del Toro would be perfect to channel Ramirez’s intensity.  (Getty Images / AP)

Philip Seymour Hoffman as John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy, right, was a children’s birthday party clown who was convicted of the rape and murder of 33 boys and young men, 28 of whom he buried in the crawl space under his house. Because he targeted many of the victims through his work, he became known as the “killer clown.” Not the usual sort of role for an Oscar-winner, but “Capote” star Philip Seymour Hoffman is known for taking chances.  (Getty Images / AP)

Willem Dafoe as Angelo Buono, Jr.

Angelo Buono, Jr., right, with his cousin, Kenneth Bianchi, became known collectively as the Hillside Strangler. They kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed several Los Angeles women in 1977 and 1978. Willem Dafoe has the killer thing down ( “Wild at Heart,” among other films), and who wouldn’t want to see him do it again?  (Fox Searchlight Pictures / Ken Hively LAT)