Always one to work with today's best directors with each role he takes on, Leonardo DiCaprio is now said to be in early talks to star as J. Edgar Hoover in a biopic on the iconic figure in 20th century American history for director Clint Eastwood. The film, titled Hoover, is said to follow J. Edgar during the formation of the FBI. Hoover, of course, was the person in charge when the FBI first began – launching the federal police force during a critical time where criminals were getting away with murder (literally), moving from state to state, causing all sorts of trouble.
Last summer's Public Enemies gave us a taste of this; it followed all of the key players involved during that time period, like gangsters John Dillinger (Johnny Depp in the film) and Pretty Boy Floyd, as well as the man Hoover tasked to lead the fight to capture these baddies, Melvin Purvis (played by Christian Bale). Hoover was also featured in the movie, played by Billy Crudup.
Deadline Hollywood says the studio wasn't too keen on this script when it first made the rounds because it's tough to sell folks on a period movie these days (hence the reason why Public Enemies made less than $100 million right in the middle of summer). However, when Eastwood fell for it, they found it hard to say no to a man who's had a lot of success making Oscar-worthy movies. And heck, why not stick an actor in the lead who was nominated for an Oscar when he played another iconic American figure, Howard Hughes, in The Aviator? Sounds like a recipe for Oscar to me. You?
Is this a good role for Leo? Do you think it will guarantee him an Oscar nod?
