Leonardo DiCaprio has come a long way from his "Growing Pains" days. Press Association

Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly set to play murderous cult leader Jim Jones

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 11/9/21

Leonardo DiCaprio's schedule stays full.

"In a pre-emptive situation, MGM has secured a deal for the feature film project Jim Jones, with Leonardo DiCaprio in final talks to star as the 1970s religious cult leader who was behind the Jonestown mass suicide on Nov. 18, 1978 that took more than 900 lives," Deadline's Anthony D'Alessandro first reported Monday. "The Oscar winner will produce for his Appian Way company alongside Jennifer Davisson."

D'Alessandro added: "MGM scooped up the Scott Rosenberg-penned script in what we hear was a seven-figure deal. The Venom scribe will also executive produce Jim Jones."

On Tuesday, Entertainment Weekly confirmed DiCaprio's casting.

Rosenberg is known for writing High Fidelity, for which he earned a BAFTA nomination, and the Tom Hardy-led Venom blockbuster of 2018.

DiCaprio can next be seen in Adam McKay's star-studded sci-fi dramedy Don't Look Up, in select theaters Dec. 10 and on Netflix beginning Dec. 24. Watch the teaser below.