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.

Dustin Lance Black Does J. Edgar Hoover Biopic

Oscar-winning scribe Dustin Lance Black ("Milk") is set to pen "Hoover," a biopic on the life of J. Edgar Hoover for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.

According to Pajiba: The story will follow the career of Hoover from his founding of the F.B.I. in 1935, where he remained as director until his death in 1972.

It's expected to be a warts-and-all look at the man from his successful efforts in the gangland wars of the '30s, his paranoid concern about "subversives," his links with the Mafia and Freemasons, rumors of him being a deeply repressed gay man, and the often dirty and illegal methods he sanctioned to bring down people and organizations he considered threats.

Billy Crudup recently portrayed Hoover in the movie “Public Enemies", which focused, in part, on Hoover’s efforts to bring down John Dillinger.

Hoover is one of the most controversial and interesting figures in American history, so it would be fascinating to see a dramatic film of his life. Considering that Black already has shown he can write an Academy Award-winning biopic with “Milk,” he seems very up to the task of Hoover’s story.

Black is currently in post-production on the Jennifer Connelly and Ed Harris drama "What’s Wrong with Virginia," which he wrote and directed.

No director is yet attached.