Leonardo DiCaprio is the latest name to be attached to Aaron Guzikowski’s much buzzed-about script “The Prisoners” after the apparent, recent departure of Hugh Jackman.
The film first came together with the team of Bryan Singer, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale before both actors moved on to David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” and Singer bailed as well. Antoine Fuqua then came on board with Hugh Jackman linked for a January shoot, but production was then delayed until March with Jackman seemingly never officially signed (and Jackman has now filled his late winter shooting schedule with the comedy “Avon Man“).
Now, Deadline reports that DiCaprio is interested in taking on the lead role, though his participation will be dependent on who signs to direct, as Fuqua has been confirmed as another casualty to the “Prisoners” production. However, if he does commit, DiCaprio is slated to shoot another film first, meaning photography on the project won’t likely begin in March, or anytime soon.
“Prisoners” has been compared to such films as “Mystic River,” “Taken,” “Silence Of The Lambs” and “Seven” and centers on a Bible-reading, deer hunting survivalist who takes the law into his own hands after his 6-year-old daughter and her friend are kidnapped. It sounds very much like a gritty, no holds barred take on the in vogue every-man vigilante film and placed number 4 on 2009’s Black List.
DiCaprio will lead Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” this summer before a date with Mel Gibson later in the year for their Viking epic.