James Marsden and Michael C. Hall will headline the cast of Adam Davenport's The Dead Circus, which marks the writer's directorial debut.

Michael Shannon and Melissa Leo have also signed onto this fictitious, fact-based detective story that tries to unravel the mystery behind the death of 'I Fought the Law' singer Bobby Fuller. Though his death was deemed a suicide, his body was found battered, and gasoline had been poured down his throat. In this drama, a yet-to-be cast screenwriter will take on a crusade to prove that Bobby Fuller's death was not a suicide, but part of the Manson Family Cult's plot to kill celebrities.

Melissa Leo plays a Manson Family member who comes out of hiding after five years promising a look at a 16mm snuff film that may hold the answers to Bobby Fuller's alleged suicide. James Marsden is playing Charles Manson, while Michael Shannon and Michael C. Hall will play Bobby Fuller's managers.

John Palermo is producing through his Palermo Pictures. Adam Davenport will be adapting the screenplay from a novel written by John Kaye, who is helping with the writing duties. The Dead Circus shoots this summer.