The Unrealized Zodiac Documentary: A Filmmaker’s True-Crime Lament

When Charles Shackleton's meticulously planned documentary on the Zodiac killer was abruptly canceled, he turned his frustration into a fascinating confession. Dubbed “Zodiac Killer Project, ” the filmmaker shares his potential masterpiece's outline. It's a critique of the true-crime genre's formulaic nature and a reflection on the struggles of independent filmmaking. Shackleton’s cancelled project is inspired by Lyndon Lafferty’s book, “The Silent Badge, ” which claims a personal encounter with the Zodiac killer. Despite initial discussions with the family of the deceased ex-cop, the film rights fell apart. The documentary, narrated by Shackleton, wanders through the Bay Area, imagining scenes and mocking common true-crime clichés. It serves as a parody of the repetitive nature of true-crime content. Though Shackleton mourns his lost vision, he also questions if he genuinely took the material seriously. Lafferty’s story proves to be more ridiculous as it goes along, including eerily crossing paths with his suspect later in life. Even Robert Graysmith, the author famous for his Zodiac case book, would have made an appearance in Shackleton’s feature. The film’s conclusion strangely mirrors a scene from David Fincher’s “Zodiac, ” further pointing out the predictable endings in true-crime stories. Shackleton critiques the genre, pointing out overused tropes and lack of creativity. Despite the genius behind his “Paint Drying” film, his interest in true-crime indicates the market's pull. The minimalist documentary, selected for Sundance’s NEXT category, highlights the automated nature of true-crime films and the creative constraints filmmakers face.