Leonardo DiCaprio is looking to star in an adaptation of Beth Macy’s celebrated historical novel “Truevine: Two Brothers, A Kidnapping, And a Mother’s Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South,” TheWrap has learned.
Based on true events, the story revolves around two African-American albino brothers, George and Willie Muse, who were taken away as youths to be displayed as circus sideshow freaks while their mother tries for decades to get them back.
Paramount Pictures and DiCaprio’s Appian Way are cutting a deal to to acquire screen rights to the book.
DiCaprio and Appian Way’s Jennifer Davisson are on board to produce the film version of the story, which takes place in 1899 on a tobacco farm in Truevine, Virginia.
The Muse brothers became a world famous act, even performing at Buckingham Palace at one point in their careers.
The book is represented by Richie Kern of Foundry.
In March, DiCaprio and Paramount CEO Brad Grey finalized a three-year, first-look production deal between the studio and Appian Way Productions.
At the time of the deal, the actor’s production company had four projects in development with Paramount, including “The Devil in the White City,” based on the book by Erik Larson, “Sandcastle Empire,” a yet untitled film, and a limited television series.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brad and the team at Paramount Pictures on numerous projects throughout my career,” said the actor in March. “I cannot think of a better home for Appian Way as we continue our growth.”
The Appian deal adds prestige to the Paramount lot — in the form of newly-minted Oscar winner DiCaprio.
Appian Way has produced films like “The Revenant,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Ides of March,” “Public Enemies” and “The Aviator.”
The company is producing Ben Affleck‘s “Live By Night” (2017) and also “Robin Hood: Origins” (2017).