Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Jim Jones in MGM Project About Cult Leader – The Hollywood Reporter

Leonardo DiCaprio has performed various real-life figures all through his Oscar-winning profession, from politicians (J. Edgar Hoover in J. Edgar) and prison forgers (Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me if You Can) to legendary moguls (Howard Hughes in The Aviator) and corrupt stockbrokers (Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Road), to call however a number of.

The 46-year-old is poised so as to add yet one more as he’s in ultimate talks to step into the sneakers of controversial cult chief Jim Jones, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Written by Scott Rosenberg (Venom, the Jumanji franchise and the upcoming Citadel), the undertaking was picked up by MGM in a pre-emptive deal and finds DiCaprio producing alongside Jennifer Davisson by way of their Appian Method banner. Rosenberg will get an govt producer credit score.

Because the chief of the spiritual group referred to as the Peoples Temple, Jones was answerable for one of many largest mass deaths in historical past as he orchestrated a bunch suicide that claimed the lives of 909 people on Nov. 18, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana. Praised by his followers for his charisma and alleged religion therapeutic skills, Jones was additionally derided for being paranoid and allegedly abusing some followers. His story has impressed many books, documentaries and TV specials together with the latest, Fact and Lies: Jonestown, Paradise Misplaced, a 2018 documentary rolled out on the tragedy’s fortieth anniversary. The doc is now streaming on Hulu.

DiCaprio subsequent stars reverse Jennifer Lawrence and a slew of stars in Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up for Netflix and he just lately completed a job that finds him reteaming with longtime collaborator Martin Scorsese on Killers of the Flower Moon for Apple TV+.

Deadline broke the information.