Leo will likely play America's first serial killer

DiCaprio might be taking a murderous turn in an upcoming film about the Chicago World's Fair, among other things

Published November 2, 2010 10:03PM (EDT)

The man never sleeps. When he's not cavorting around Europe with his supermodel girlfriend (definitely has a type), and starring in red-hot summer flicks, Leonardo DiCaprio is on the lookout for his next project. And it looks like he just found it.

The Guardian reports that Leo's production company, Appian Way, has secured the rights to the critically acclaimed nonfiction book "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America." It's a lovely tale about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and how it was conceived and organized and all the fun times everyone had. Oh, and about the serial killer who wreaked havoc on the Windy City and murdered somewhere between 27 and 200 people.

Leo will likely play Dr. H.H. Holmes, a man (not a real doctor) considered to be America's first serial killer. He operated a "hotel" near the fairgrounds called the World's Fair Hotel, and while the linens were clean, you also might have enjoyed the crematorium, gas chamber and dissecting table. This guy was seriously twisted, and Leo can definitely pull off the mix of insanity and charm needed in this role. Plus, he looks really good in period pieces.

Maybe he'll finally get that Oscar he's been gunning for. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's a much younger Leo back in his Titanic days.


By Michelle Fitzsimmons

Michelle Fitzsimmons is an editorial fellow at Salon.com.

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