Paramount Pictures is currently negotiating with Leonardo DiCaprio to have him star as the iconic motorcycle stunt performer Evel Knievel in an upcoming biopic. The film will be helmed by Damien Chazelle, known for his work on ‘Whiplash,’ ‘La La Land,’ and ‘Babylon.’

Discussions have been ongoing for several months, dating back to last year. As the negotiations progress, casting for other roles is also drawing attention. Notably, Adrien Brody, fresh from winning an Oscar for Best Actor for ‘The Brutalist,’ is reportedly under consideration for a role. Though no official offer has been made, it's rumored that Brody met with Chazelle to discuss playing Shelly Saltman, a sports promoter and author who was infamously assaulted by Knievel.

Chazelle had been developing a prison-themed film but shifted his focus to the Evel Knievel project after it began to garner interest from DiCaprio. The project is buoyed by a script from William Monahan, the writer behind DiCaprio's Oscar-winning film, ‘The Departed.’

Sources indicate that if an agreement is reached with DiCaprio, the primary goal at the moment, filming could start as early as this summer. However, Paramount has yet to release any official statements.

Knievel rose to fame in the 1970s, becoming a cultural icon known for his thrilling motorcycle stunts, fearless persona, and willingness to risk life and limb. He capitalized on his fame through television appearances and merchandise, embodying the epitome of cool, death-defying entertainment. However, his reputation took a hit when he violently attacked Saltman, resulting in a prison sentence, the loss of endorsements, and bankruptcy.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who recently starred in Martin Scorsese's ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ continues to be a sought-after actor with several significant projects lined up. These include a mystery film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and a Hawaii-based mob thriller that could reunite him with Scorsese.

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