For Whom the Bell Tolls

[Brian in Mesa]

DiCaprio in Talks for Whom the Bell Tolls
Source: Variety
May 27, 2005

Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in For Whom the Bell Tolls at Warner Bros., says Variety. Troy screenwriter David Benioff is penning the adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel.

DiCaprio is said to be interested in playing Robert Jordan, the young American teacher who joins an antifascist guerrilla unit in the mountains of Spain. DiCaprio won't commit to the project without a director, however, and none is attached.

The book was previously adapted into a 1944 Sam Wood-helmed Paramount film that starred Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, both of whom were nominated for acting Oscars.

 

[jf-08]

 

[Chaplin]

What's that for? This isn't a remake, it's an adaptation...

 

[jf-08]

What's that for? This isn't a remake, it's an adaptation...

It's for Dicraprio, not the movie.

I think this would be an intriguing re-make/adaptation, but not with Leonard.

 

[Mulli]

Earlier in Leo's career I would have questioned the choice, but after his performance in the Aviator I can live wih it. Depends on the script really, in my opinion. I just hope they keep K. Dunst as far away from this movie as possible.

 

[Chaplin]

If you look at DiCaprio's career, you can see that he isn't the greatest of actors (although in Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries he was pretty damn good), but he is definitely very good at picking projects--unlike most of the pretty boys out there. With The Aviator and Catch Me If You Can, he's proven he can be a mature actor.

Not saying you're like this jkf, but a lot of animosity towards him has nothing to do with his acting, it has to do with the fact that he's a pretty boy, at least to most men he is. Women love him, and men sometimes resent that. Tom Cruise, who is a good actor in his own right, suffers from the same problem.

 

[jf-08]

He is a talented actor, I loved him in Basketball Diaries and Gilbert Grape, but seeing him as a tough guy - ala The Beach, Gangs of New York, Man in the Iron Mask, etc., just doesn't cut it with me.