Curry Barker Almost Played Bear in Obsession, Cooper Tomlinson Confirms

Cooper Tomlinson has revealed that Obsession could have looked very different, with writer-director Curry Barker at one point considering playing Bear himself before ultimately choosing to stay behind the camera. The role, of course, went to Michael Johnston, and Tomlinson said that once he saw Johnston’s performance, it was obvious the film had found the right lead. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tomlinson said:

Curry definitely considered playing Bear at one point, but I left it up to him. I think the movie would’ve been great regardless, but he was able to make the best movie possible by being behind the camera and leading the ship.

Tomlinson also made it clear there was no frustration on his end, explaining that he was happy to be part of the project in any capacity and that Ian always felt like the role was meant for him.

Obsession Breakout Cooper Tomlinson Teases the Wild Next Step with Barker

Cooper Tomlinson as Ian in Obsession | Credits: Focus Features

Obsession has grown into one of the year’s biggest horror stories, while Barker and Tomlinson are already moving ahead with their next collaboration, Anything But Ghosts, which has wrapped production and features Aaron Paul in the cast. Tomlinson is excited about his next project with Barker and revealed how Aaron Paul stepped in for their next horror film. He mentioned during the same THR interview:

We were walking to the bathroom and Aaron was coming down in the opposite direction. But Curry didn’t see him, and we literally bumped into Aaron. Little did we know, we’d be doing a movie with him six years later. So we had to tell him that story before we started filming, and it was so cool for us to be able to have that full-circle moment. Every day on that set was the best day of our lives.

Looking at the success of Obsession, Barker’s decision to direct rather than star helped the movie become its strongest version. That decision clearly worked out. Obsession is now available at home after breaking out in theaters, and the film hit premium video-on-demand on June 30 through Prime Video and Apple TV (via Variety).

For anyone still catching up, the horror film follows a hopeless romantic whose wish for his crush to love him back unleashes dark and sinister consequences. Knowing Barker nearly stood at the center of that story only adds another layer to a movie that already feels full of alternate possibilities.

Just as important, Tomlinson’s comments arrive at a moment when the Barker partnership is only getting bigger. Their next film, Anything But Ghosts, has already completed filming in Vancouver, with Barker directing and co-writing the screenplay alongside Tomlinson.

Let us know your thoughts on Barker playing the Bear. Would he have been better than Johnston? Comment below.

Obsession is currently available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV.