Leonardo DiCaprio Movies 2013: Actor To Produce, Star In Woodrow Wilson Film
"Wilson," a biography of the 28th president of the United States by A. Scott Berg, was just released earlier this month but is already in talks to become a feature film. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Warner Bros. is in negotiations to acquire the rights of the biography for an upcoming film adaptation, which is set to star none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio will star as Wilson, and will produce the film along with his Appian Way partner Jennifer Davison Killoran and Berg. "Wilson" hit shelves on Sept. 10 and has received mostly positive reviews for its look at Wilson as the president who led the nation through World War I. It currently has a four-and-a-half out of five star rating on Amazon.
As noted by THR, "Berg offers up a heroic, larger-than-life Wilson, emphasizing his progressive achievements like the creation of the Federal Reserve and his crusade in support of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations while downplaying his weak record on civil liberties and civil rights for African Americans. Wilson remains a deeply controversial figure to professional historians and a villain to many on the right (notably Glenn Beck)."
THR also reports that author Berg has Hollywood connections, with his brother Jeff Berg as Resolution head and partner Kevin McCormick as a producer. Lynn Harris purchased and will oversee the film adaptation, according to THR.
38-year-old DiCaprio has been nominated for three Academy Awards and nine Golden Globes, winning one Globe for Best Actor for his performance in "The Aviator" (2004). Some of his numerous notable films include "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "Titanic," "Catch Me If You Can," "The Departed," "Inception" and most recently "The Great Gatsby." The list of his blockbuster goes on and on.
Personally, I believe DiCaprio will do a great job portraying Wilson, as he usually does a great job in most of his roles. He'll probably have a chance at scoring a Best Actor Oscar nod, especially because the Academy loves when stars play U.S. presidents.
Daniel Day-Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor earlier this year for his portrayal of the 16th president in "Lincoln," which was directed by Steven Spielberg and nominated for a total of 12. The Lincoln biopic grossed around $275 million worldwide.