Deadline are reporting that Leonardo Dicaprio is in early talks to play the head of the original FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, in the film Hoover. The film is being directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Dustin Lance Black with Brian Grazer producing. If he signs then this film will already increase it's serious Oscar potential.

The quartet, between them, have won 6 Oscars and been nominated 12 times. It'll be a period drama and a biopic which usually fair well around Award season and it looks set to showcase a few things about the former FBI head that will certainly make for compelling viewing as Deadline describes the movie:

Hoover formed the country's federal jurisdiction law enforcement system with the establishment of the FBI and, while he might have come in with high ideals as a public servant, he increasingly became a manipulative power broker with a closet full of his own secrets. When Hoover is depicted in films, it is usually in unflattering fashion. But I've heard this script described as "peeling back the curtain on the life of Hoover" with no cross-dressing claims.

The film will be ambitious, for all involved including studio Universal, who haven't quite got the adult-drama genre down pact with a few period pieces losing them substantial amounts of money. Hopefully, if DiCaprio signs, and a few other quality pieces come in on the film then Universal will have a winner.