October 11, 2007

CLOONEY, DICAPRIO HEAD TO 'FARRAGUT NORTH' (VAR, THR)

By Nancy Vialatte

Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney are teaming up for a screen version of Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North." DiCaprio is attached to star and Clooney is looking to direct the project � he may also step in front of the camera. DiCaprio's Appian Way will produce with Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smoke House for Warner Bros. Willimon is writing the script.

The story follows a young communications director for a fast-rising presidential candidate. During the course of the campaign, the idealistic young man falls prey to the backstabbing and other dirty trickery of seasoned rivals.

The play is headed for Broadway next year, with Mike Nichols reportedly in line to direct Jake Gyllenhaal in the actor�s Broadway debut.

Willimon worked for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential run, an experience that informed the play. While "Farragut North" has yet to be seen, the script has been circulating around Hollywood, leading to a quick transition to screenwriting for Willimon. (VAR)

The play is titled after the Washington Metro station that is located near many lobbyists' offices, notes the Hollywood Reporter.

Aside from �Farragut,� Willimon was tapped last week by director Marc Forster to adapt the 2002 British miniseries "The Jury" into a feature for Fox 2000. Forster sought out the writer after reading "Farragut," says Variety.