Some casting news is interesting while most is just worthless filler. Whenever you’re talking about a Clint Eastwood film it is, traditionally, interesting and today’s is no different although it doesn’t come with much context.
On the red carpet for his California Hall of Fame induction, Eastwood responded (via The Playlist) to a question regarding Charlize Theron’s expected involvement in his next film, J. Edgar saying, “We think she will be in the film and Judi Dench is definitely in the film and there we are.”
Leonardo DiCaprio is already aboard and will play the title role of J. Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There is no word on what role Dench will be filling, but Theron was reportedly approached back in early December to play “the part of Helen Gandy, a Justice Department file clerk Hoover selected as his personal secretary at the age of 21, and who wound up working for him for over 54 years.”
Theron’s involvement is still up in the air, primarily due to the possibility of playing opposite Tom Hardy (Inception) in Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman, which is expected to begin shooting first quarter 2011 for a December 21, 2012 release. Likelihood is Theron is trying to figure out if she can do both or is trying to decide between the two.
Along with this trio Armie Hammer (The Social Network) previously joined the cast as Clyde Tolson, Associate Director of the FBI and known Hoover protege.
Dustin Lance Black, Oscar-winning Milk scripter, penned the screenplay.
