Leonardo DiCaprio: J. Edgar Hoover Flick Begins Filming Early Next Year

Leonardo DiCaprio: J. Edgar Hoover Flick Begins Filming Early Next Year

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

After a year in which he gave two of his best career performances, Leonardo DiCaprio literally is in a place where he can take on whatever role he pleases. Early on, he gave one of his best in "Shutter Island" before dizzying audiences in Christopher Nolan's "Inception" over the summer.

Around that time came news that DiCaprio would be starring in Clint Eastwood's biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, but there was no word on when that would actually begin. But now we have confirmation from the actor himself.  Filming on the project will start early next year.

Word comes from DiCaprio through Coming Soon, who commented on the project on Sunday during a Q&A presentation titled "Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese in Conversation."

Legendary actor-director Clint Eastwood will direct DiCaprio in the role of Hoover, while screenwriter Dustin Lance Black penned the screenplay. Black of course won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for penning the screenplay for "Milk."

Said DiCaprio at the event: “I will be working with Clint very soon on the Hoover project. I think it's going to start very soon, maybe January or February.”

Since Black had previously written "Milk" and is openly gay, many in the industry think the script could focus on Hoover's rumored homosexuality and cross-dressing. Eastwood, has confirmed that that's at least partly true, but still hasn't divulged much.

Said Eastwood: "He was a very complex person. The homosexual aspect is just one of many. I would say that's the least of his problems. But he was also very clever, whether rightfully or wrongfully, he was very clever about keeping himself in a certain position in life, so it is an interesting study."

Hoover vehemently denied he was gay, but willed his estate to Clyde Tolson, his alleged lover. The two men also worked together, Tolson landed the plum post of associate director after only three years at the agency, and frequently socialized together. Other evidence that Hoover was gay includes the fact that many of his closest friends were closeted men. Rumors that Hoover was a crossdresser persist to this day.

Whether they focus on the homosexual aspect or not, this film is shaping up to be a supreme awards contender whenever it is released. With talents like Eastwood, DiCaprio and Black all collaborating together, the sky is the limit when it comes to quality. I'm sure no one would be surprised if the three ended up landing Oscar nominations for their work.

Filming should kick of early next year.