Charles in Charge

Heritage Entertainment is still trying to cast the role of Charles Manson for a feature based on the murder cult guru’s autobio, “In His Own Words,” in which he explains his demonic actions.

Heritage senior veep Alan Sacks said the part has been offered to five name actors--Sean Penn, Eric Roberts, Willem Dafoe, Brad Davis and Nicolas Cage--and that none of them has given him a turndown yet. But wait a minute . . . to date, none of the actors have jumped at the role. And we’ve learned that two of them have said no way to the offer.

A spokesman for Dafoe told us he wouldn’t even look at such a script. Ditto Davis, who nixed the idea of portraying Manson in any light, according to his business manager.

Casting better happen soon. Heritage hopes to release the film in time for the 20th anniversary of the Manson Family’s “Helter Skelter” murders of Sharon Tate and others in August, 1969.