Legendary actor-director Clint Eastwood
has said Leonardo DiCaprio “volunteered” to play the lead in the
upcoming biopic of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, titled J. Edgar.
Speaking
on Tuesday to John Meneghetti during the red carpet for the
California Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Eastwood said
DiCaprio “volunteered” for the film because he liked the script.
“The script is a very good script and
we were all preparing it and he [DiCaprio] liked the script,”
Eastwood, who'll direct the film based on a script by Milk
scribe Dustin Lance Black, said. “He actually volunteered for it.”
Armie
Hammer, the 24-year-old star of The
Social Network,
is reportedly in talks to play the role of Clyde Tolson, Hoover's
alleged lover. The men vehemently denied allegations they were
in a romantic relationship.
Eastwood also confirmed that legendary
British actress Judi Dench has been cast in the film.
“And Judi Dench is definitely in the
film and there we are,” Eastwood said.
J. Edgar is set to begin filming
early next year.