'Jim Jones': Leonardo DiCaprio to Play Cult Leader in Biopic

MGM has secured a deal for a feature length film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the infamous cult leader Jim Jones. Deadline confirmed the casting and DiCaprio‘s role as producer via his Appian Way company, alongside Jennifer Davisson.

Penning the script is Venom writer Scott Rosenberg which will explore Jones‘ influence as a religious leader who founded Indianapolis’ Peoples Temple in 1955. Jones later renounced traditional Christianity and eventually claimed to be God himself. In 1974 he constructed Jonestown in Guyana, and persuaded many of his cult followers to relocated under the guise that they would live in a socialist escape free from governmental control.

But when rumors of human rights abuses made their way to the States, the US government sent a delegation led by U.S. Representative Leo Ryan in November 1978 to inspect the compound. After Ryan, and four others were gunned down by his followers, Jones orchestrated a mass murder-suicide of his followers. Leaving more than 900 of them dead, including 304 children, in an act that spurred the phrase “don’t drink the kool-aide.”

That’s all we know about MGM’s Jim Jones project for now. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd and we will keep you updated as this story develops.

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