Leonardo DiCaprio Joins Quentin Tarantino’s Manson Movie

Yes, we know — Quentin Tarantino‘s Charles Manson movie, isn’t actually a Charles Manson movie. “It’s not Charles Manson, it’s 1969,”  the director said about his Los Angeles-set movie, which is said to have a vibe somewhere along the same lines as “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglourious Basterds.” Big stars have been said to be under consideration for months, and now the first official name is on board.

Leonardo DiCaprio will reteam with his “Django Unchained” director for the currently untitled movie. The 43 year-old star will portray an aging film actor, so you know, just like real life! Margot Robbie is still being courted to play Sharon Tate, the wife of Roman Polanski who was brutally murdered by Manson’s follows. Tom Cruise is also still being hunted down for a role (frankly, shouldn’t he be playing an aging film star?).

The film is set in Los Angeles in the summer of 1969, and centers on a male TV actor who’s had one hit series and is looking for a way to get into the film business. His sidekick—who’s also his stunt double—is looking for the same thing. Meanwhile, the horrific murder of Sharon Tate and four of her friends by Charles Manson’s cult of followers shadows the main narrative. In fact, don’t even expect Manson to show up in a prominent role; he will likely be on the edges of the story.

With the film needing to make $375 million worldwide to break even, casting the very choosy DiCaprio is smart business (“Django Unchained” is Tarantino’s highest grossing film). Of course, DiCaprio is a helluva actor too.

Quentin Tarantino’s film will hit cinemas on August 9, 2019. [Variety]