A few weeks ago it almost seemed like a lock that Charlize Theron was going to play secretary Helen Gandy in Clint Eastwood’d J. Edgar Hoover biopic, but that’s apparently not so, and Theron will now definitely not be in the movie. The whole thing was apparently a giant cock up, with her agents getting over-exicted about her interest in the part, to the point where Charlize had to phone up Eastwood personally to apologise over the confusion. The director is apparently now looking at Amy Adams and Naomi Watts as possible replacements in the role of Hoover’s (Leo DiCaprio) longtime assistant.
Vulture reports the news that she’s out, which to be honest isn’t a massive shock, as many wondered how she would do J. Edgar and the her reported evil Queen role in Snow White and the Huntsman. However as she hasn’t officially signed for that either, she’s now a major target, and Fox wants her for the Alien prequel. Director Ridley Scott is still apparently set on giving the main role to Noomi Rapace (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), but the execs want someone better known.
However while Theron is out of J. Edgar, Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick is in. Deadline says that he ‘will play a clean cut operative with writing skill. Once Hoover discovers he can write, he conscripts Agent Smith to write Hoover’s biography, until Smith gets a little too close to the truth.’ Sounds like Westwick will be part of a framing device that allows the movie to explore Hoover’s past as anti-mob figure, who helped set up the FBI, and went on to become one of the most controversial figures in the US, using his power to keep files of government figures, so he could get them to do his bidding. The ‘truth’ Westwick will get too close to could either be Hoover’s dodgy dealings, or his relationship with Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), who was his companion and some say love.