DiCaprio To Play Serial Killer In The Devil In The White City

Deadline has exclusive news that Leonardo DiCaprio with his production company Appian Way have obtained the rights to Erik Larson's novel The Devil In The White City. DiCaprio would take the lead role in the film playing serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes. Previously director David Fincher and screenwriter Eric Roth (Benjamin Button) had been interested in the project but it's unknown if they'll be brought on the new incarnation. Fincher could be still interested as it's different from the previous serial killer films he's tackled. I expect studios would go crazy bidding for a Fincher/DiCaprio crime thriller.

David Fincher Signs Two Picture Deal With MRC

Hollywood Reporter says that director David Fincher has signed a deal with Media Rights Capital for two films. While they don't name the projects they could be in the vein of Seven and Zodiac. I have my belief the two films could be Ness/Torso and Devil In The White City both serial killer projects Fincher has been developing. I expect they could shoot between the Millennium Trilogy (Dragon Tattoo, Played With Fire, Hornet's Nest).



NESS (TORSO): Based on the graphic novel Torso. It was originally setup at Paramount before the studio allowed the rights to expire. Fincher had lined up an impressive cast which included Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Rachel McAdams.



"Torso tells the story of the real life "Torso Murderer", a serial killer who was active during 1934 to 1938. He received his nickname because he left only the torsos of his victims. Without fingerprints or dental records, these victims were very difficult to identify in a time before DNA testing. The investigator on the case was Eliot Ness, Cleveland Safety Director and former head of the Untouchables."

DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY: Screenwriter Eric Roth who worked with Fincher on Benjamin Button revealed that the director was interested in developing another film together. The film would be an adaptation of the novel The Devil In The White City by Erik Larson.

"Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness."