Leonardo DiCaprio is still in discussions for Damien Chazelle’s Evel Knievel biopic, with Adrien Brody as a potential contender.

With Damien Chazelle (Babylon, La La Land) set to direct, this high-octane biopic is already generating major buzz.

A-List Talent Circling the Project

The deal has been in the works since late last year, and while it’s not finalized, Adrien Brody is rumored to be eyeing a key role. Fresh off his Best Actor Oscar win for The Brutalist, Brody has reportedly met with Chazelle to play Shelly Saltman, the sports promoter and author who was brutally attacked by Knievel with an aluminum bat.

Chazelle had initially been working on a prison drama but made a sharp pivot when the Knievel project, fueled by DiCaprio’s interest, started gaining momentum. The film also boasts a script by William Monahan, the Oscar-winning writer behind The Departed.

Will the Cameras Roll This Summer?

If DiCaprio officially signs on, sources say filming could start as early as this summer. However, the actor, last seen in Killers of the Flower Moon, has no shortage of blockbuster projects on his plate. He’s also attached to a Hawaii-set mob thriller with Martin Scorsese and Dwayne Johnson—so scheduling will be key.

Evel Knievel: A Pop Culture Icon with a Dark Side

Knievel became a household name in the 1970s, famous for his death-defying stunts, star-spangled outfits, and no-fear attitude. But his legacy took a hit when he assaulted Saltman, who had written an unflattering biography about him. The attack led to jail time, lost endorsements, and financial ruin for the once-invincible stuntman.

With DiCaprio, Chazelle, and Brody circling the project, this film has all the makings of a high-flying Hollywood event—if Paramount can stick the landing.

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