Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Cult Leader Jim Jones in New Film
Leonardo DiCaprio will play guru Jim Jones, who founded a mysterious sect that led nearly a thousand people to commit suicide
Leonardo DiCaprio will play guru Jim Jones, founder of a sect that led almost a thousand people to commit suicide in 1978. According to publications, the film, aptly titled Jim Jones, has no confirmed director as of yet, but DiCaprio will serve as both the protagonist and a producer on the project. In addition to the star, Scott Rosenberg—screenwriter on Jumanji and Venom—wrote the script for the feature.
Jones founded the People's Temple sect in the mid-1950s in Indiana before moving the group to California. Initially, the religious group was based on Christian and socialist ideology with an emphasis on racial equality. However, in the 1970s, after the People's Temple relocated to Guyana in a settlement he dubbed "Jonestown," United States officials investigating the group were killed upon landing in South America. One congressman, three journalists, and a deserter from the group were murdered in the raid on the airstrip.
Jones died from a gunshot wound to his head, possibly from an alleged suicide, while all 918 members of the cult were killed by Flavor Aid laced with cyanide.
There is no word on the film's production schedule, but DiCaprio has a history of strong performances of real-life figures such as his roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, J. Edgar, Aviator, and Catch Me If You Can.
