Michael Mann to Direct Leonardo DiCaprio in Hollywood Noir Drama
Posted on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 by Peter Sciretta
Michael Mann (Heat, The Insider) has revealed his next project to studio executives, a Hollywood-based noir drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Gladiator screenwriter John Logan’s script takes place on the old MGM studio lot in the 1930’s. The story follows studio-hired scandal-clean-up private detective (DiCaprio) who is hired to investigate whether a starlet murdered her husband. One of the most interesting parts of Hollywoodland involved such a character.
The screenplay, which is being compared to L.A. Confidential, was delivered to the major studios late last week, and Variety claims that a deal will happen quickly.
New Line made a bid of around $100 million, said sources, which falls below a projected pricetag of around $120 million.
Logan’s other screenwriting credits include The Aviator, The Last Samurai, and Any Given Sunday. He’s also been attached to Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Lincoln bio-pic, the big screen adaptation of 1906, and Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.
