- Sam Raimi Wants to 'Get Back to the Basics' on Spider-Man 4 (111 Comments)
- Must Watch: Teaser Trailer for A Nightmare on Elm Street! (109 Comments)
- Must Watch: Intense Trailer for Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness (81 Comments)
- Must Watch: Second Official Trailer for Lee Daniels' Precious (78 Comments)
- Check These Out: High Res New Na'vi Photos from Avatar! (77 Comments)
- Paul Blart Director Steve Carr Hired for the Short Circuit Remake (Oct 27, 2009)
- Hitman's Xavier Gens Set to Direct Action Thriller 'The Fallout' (Oct 27, 2009)
- Bruckheimer & Straczynski Adapting 2K's Shattered Union (Oct 27, 2009)
- Steve Carell on Par for Rick Reilly Golf Comedy 'Missing Links' (Oct 26, 2009)
- Jason Reitman Calls Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim 'Matrix for Love' (Oct 26, 2009)
- Matt Damon & Josh Brolin Joining the Coen Brothers' True Grit (Oct 26, 2009)
- Ricky Gervais to Host the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Oct 26, 2009)
- Woody Allen's New Film Titled 'You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger' (Oct 26, 2009)
| Inglourious Basterds | 10/10 |
| It Might Get Loud | 9/10 |
| Inglourious Basterds | 8.5/10 |
| Star Trek | 9/10 |
| Monsters vs Aliens | 5/10 |
Leonardo DiCaprio Developing Ian Fleming Biopic - The Real James Bond
May 15, 2008
Source: LA Times
by Alex Billington
Despite laying low for a while, Leonardo DiCaprio has quite a bit on his upcoming slate. The most recent of which to add to his growing list is a film simply titled Fleming, a biopic about the life of British author and journalist Ian Fleming. Best known as the creator of James Bond, Fleming actually had a colorful real life, working as a Reuters journalist stationed in Moscow and then a Commander of Naval Intelligence during World War II who devised innovative spying plots. The LA Times confirms that DiCaprio just became one of the producers of Fleming, but there's no official word on whether or not he'll actually act in it yet.
The script, an original screenplay written by Damian Stevenson, was completed in 2005, where Stevenson then sold it to Warner Brothers. He spent months working with their legal department debating issues of historical accuracy. Now it seems that DiCaprio is interested in the film, but is "looking to take the script in a different direction with a new writer." That's a sad story for Stevenson, but if the result is better in the end, then unfortunately it's the best way to go. The latest version of the screenplay starts on the eve of Fleming's Jamaica wedding in 1952, just before his first Bond novel, "Casino Royale," was published (a wedding present to his new wife).
Fellow producer Andrew Lazar (Death to Smoochy, Get Smart) explains that "it's going to be very different from the Bond films," which of course makes a lot of sense. "There are a lot of different ways to crack biopics, but we're not trying to emulate a Bond movie… The idea that this guy's life informed the James Bond character is pretty fascinating." Not only did Fleming have a rather exciting life, but most of the characters found in the Bond movies were inspired by people in the real world. Stevenson explains that, "no one had any idea that M was based on a real person, Miss Moneypenny was based on a real person." Neither did I!
There weren't any more details on a prospective start date, but it sounds like the project is now progressing in the hands of DiCaprio and his production company Appian Way. Just hearing about all of the details of this project has made me instantly interested. I'm a huge James Bond fan and to get a chance to see the real life story of the man who created him would undoubtedly be fascinating. Not only that, but I'm quite confident in DiCaprio as a producer as well. He seems to understand the importance and value of projects like this, that turn into something special and not just throwaway productions. We'll be sure to update you when we hear more details on casting or otherwise.
•  |
Related Articles
- » Leonardo DiCaprio Set to Take on the World of Online Poker
- » Leonardo DiCaprio Starring in Christopher Nolan's Inception
- » Leonardo DiCaprio Cast as Nolan Bushnell in Atari
- » Leonardo DiCaprio Won't Star in Either Akira or Ninja Scroll
- » How About Johnny Depp for Martin Scorsese's Sinatra?
- » James Bond Week Kicks Off Today on FirstShowing.net!
Reader Feedback - 7 Comments »
1
go back to laying low, your a terrible actor dont ruin ian fleming, produce if you must but dont act
harrison on May 16, 2008
2
No leo must not act in this… it requires someone with an understanding to english culture this was always very visually apparent with fleming. Leo is not right for this role. Wonder if they will film some of it on his private island?
nha on May 16, 2008
3
Re:#1 Watch a few of his movies first. I agree with the person above that he is not right to play him though.
max on May 16, 2008
4
i have seen most of his movies, hes terrible in every one, the best ones are where he dies at the end, especially the departed because both he and matt damon get offed
harrison on May 16, 2008
5
Don't we have here a solid dose of jealousy from some commentors!? Please guys… grow up, will ya??? DiCaprio is a terrific actor and has been nominated for three Oscars so far.
I think it is a fabulous idea for him to play a young Fleming. He is more than right for the role!
Sasha on May 16, 2008
6
I love biopics and I also love Leo DiCaprio. What a fantastic movie project. Hope it will work… unless Scorsese keeps his favorite muse actor too busy to let him work on other films. DiCaprio/Fleming, Yes Sir!
Mike on May 16, 2008
7
"…it requires someone with an understanding to english (sic) culture this was always very visually apparent with fleming (sic)."
WOW - that is the most ignorant comment I have ever read on this site.
English Culture? We're your brethren dopey!
cb on May 17, 2008