DiCaprio, De Niro tackling JFK assassination

There’s a JFK assassination movie coming. And the best news is Oliver Stone isn’t directing it. Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Great Gatsby”) and Robert De Niro are set to star in “Legacy of Secrets” based on the book of the same name. The book follows the saga of FBI informant Jack Van Laningham. DeNiro would play Mafia kingpin Carlos Marcello, who confided to Van Langingham that he ordered the hit on Kennedy.

David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”) is writing and will direct the film.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Zac Efron headling new JFK assassination film “Parkland”

Yes, just in time for the JFK assassination’s 50th anniversary comes a new film about that fateful day. “Parkland” will be written and directed by  Peter Landesman, a first-time director. The film’s cast will include Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thorton and Jacki Weaver.

I’ll say this, the film’s attracting a pretty solid cast. But the fact that Landesman’s never directed a film before worries me.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Tom Hanks producing JFK assassination drama

Tom Hanks, through his production company Playtone, will be producing a JFK assassination drama, reportedly called “Parkland” referring to the hospital where JFK was pronounced dead. The film will tell the events and aftermath through several different points of view, including reporter, a young doctor, an FBI agent, members of Kennedy’s staff and secret service detail, Jackie Kennedy, Oswald’s older brother and Abraham Zapruder who captured shot the home video of the President’s assassination.

There’s reason to be excited for this project. The production company is responsible for “Band of Brothers”, “John Adams” and “The Pacific”. So, they have a knack for deep storytelling about some of the country’s most difficult times.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.