Will the engines of Evel Knievel roar to life this summer? This question looms over Paramount as it endeavors to finalize negotiations with Leonardo DiCaprio to portray the motorcycle daredevil in a biographical film. Renowned for leaping over cars, fountains, and canyons, Knievel's daredevil antics captivated audiences worldwide. Damien Chazelle, who recently helmed "Babylon" and boasts a first-look deal with Paramount, is poised to direct this cinematic endeavor.
Negotiations have been ongoing for several months, stretching back to late last year. As these talks unfold, speculation about other roles in the film has gained traction. Adrien Brody, fresh from his Best Actor Oscar triumph for "The Brutalist," could potentially be one of the actors circling a role. Although no official offer has been made, Brody reportedly met with Chazelle to discuss portraying Shelly Saltman, the author and sports promoter who suffered a brutal attack with an aluminum bat at Knievel's hands.
Last year, Chazelle was reportedly working on a prison-themed project. However, when Knievel's story began gaining momentum and attracting interest from DiCaprio, he switched gears mid-stride. The film's prospects brightened further with the involvement of William Monahan, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of DiCaprio's crime film "The Departed," penning the script.
If Paramount can successfully ink a deal with DiCaprio, sources indicate that filming could commence this summer. However, Paramount declined to comment on the matter.
In the 1970s, Knievel emerged as a towering figure in pop culture, renowned for his motorcycle aerial stuntwork, fearless demeanor, and willingness to risk life and limb for his breathtaking jumps. His name and image, adorned with stars and a cape, became synonymous with daring, death-defying tricks, which he leveraged to secure TV appearances and merchandise deals.
Knievel's cool demeanor, both literally and figuratively, shattered when he assaulted Saltman, then an executive at 20th Century Fox and the author of an uncomplimentary biography of the stuntman. Saltman sustained severe injuries, while Knievel faced jail time, lost endorsements, and declared bankruptcy.
DiCaprio last starred in "Killers of the Flower Moon" directed by Martin Scorsese and will next headline a mystery movie helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The actor is spoilt for choice with numerous high-profile projects on the horizon, including a Hawaii-set mob thriller that could reunite him with Scorsese and pair him with Dwayne Johnson.
