Josh Lucas Signs On For "J. Edgar"

Clint Eastwood's upcoming film "J. Edgar" is shaping up to be quite the biopic. The top of the cast is fantastic with Leonardo DiCaprio set to play J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer signed to play his lover Clyde Tolson.

The supporting cast is excellent as well, and just got a bit better by adding another solid name to a list which already includes Judi Dench, Damon Herriman and Ed Westwick. According to Deadline Josh Lucas has joined the cast of Eastwood's new biopic.

Lucas will play one of America's most well-known figures, pilot Charles A. Lindbergh in the drama. Five years after receiving worldwide acclaim for flying across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, Lindbergh's son was kidnapped and later murdered. J. Edgar Hoover was the head of The Bureau of Investigation, which was handling the extremely notable case.

Eastwood is directing from a script by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, though shooting dates have yet to be locked.

According to the article Lucas is also rumored to be playing Lincoln in the adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which actually would be a pretty good fit. Over his career Lucas has been a solid performer and has turned in some excellent work in films like "American Psycho," "A Beautiful Mind" and "You Can Count on Me."

Eastwood's film is sure to be an awards contender when it is released and the cast keeps getting more and more solid. The film should shoot later this year for a 2012 release.

DiCaprio's J. Edgar Hoover Flick Begins Filming Early Next Year

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.