Earlier this summer it was reported that Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic — naturally titled “Hoover” — would be shooting some time this year.
After a few months of considering the role, Leonardo DiCaprio was confirmed for the lead (sort of), and now Vulture says Eastwood is interested in Joaquin Phoenix to play Hoover’s “gay lover” Clyde Tolson.
Here’s the thing though. We’ve read the Dustin Lance Black-penned script and while there is a lot of homosexual subtext in the film, there’s really not much of a gay lover. Or at least not any kind of conventional one.
Sure, there will be unspoken sexual tension and their relationship is key to the film, but those expecting cross-dressing scenes and the two smacking one another’s butts over case studies will be grossly disappointed. .
“[Tolson’s] unqualified, and is thought to be a homosexual, but Hoover offers him a job anyway. There’s an instant attraction between the two men, and Toulson becomes Hoover’s right hand man throughout much of his career. Due to Hoover’s deeply closeted nature, however, the relationship is never consummated; when Toulson makes a move on his boss, the two even come to blows. It’s clearly the most important relationship in the script, and the emotional hinge of the piece. Hoover’s sexuality is the driving force of the film, and you couldn’t miss it, but its treatment is quite subtle.”
And yes, screenplays change all the time, especially the ones that leak online, but Eastwood isn’t that fussy and 95 percent of the last 3-4 scripts he directed and that we read hit the screen exactly as they were written. Sounds like this one is gearing up to do casting in October, so maybe a shoot by the end of the year?
Vulture says that actually, DiCaprio is not exactly 100 percent signed on to play the part yet (probably finalizing a deal), but nevertheless Phoenix is expected to be offered the part. So yes, cool your jets. It’s another offer story which means nothing. Phoenix might not even be interested in the part. That said, with everyone assuming Phoenix’s career could be hurt by his “I’m Still Here” fraudulence, taking a role like this with powerhouses like Eastwood and DiCaprio would surely shut up anyone who continues to keep positing that his career has been irreparably damaged. Our guess is his agent will at least want him to seriously consider the role. More, if and when it happens.