Clint Eastwood on Monday denied rumors that Joaquin Phoenix is being considered to play gay in the upcoming biopic of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. But Eastwood, who'll direct the film, did confirm that Leonardo DiCaprio will play the lead.

“It's a great role for him,” Eastwood told Reuters.

Last month, New York Magazine reported that Eastwood was pursing Phoenix to play the role of Clyde Tolson, Hoover's alleged lover. The two men worked closely – Tolson landed the plum post of associate director after only 3 years at the agency – and socialized together, but vehemently denied claims they were in a romantic relationship. Tolson inherited Hoover's estate and his grave rests yards from Hoover's in the Congressional Cemetery.

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.

Eastwood, however, suggested the film would not linger much on Hoover's romantic life.

“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,” he said.

“He was an iconic figure,” the legendary actor added.

Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black announced last month that he's completed the movie's script and filming is set for early next year.