Leonardo DiCaprio as Rasputin? Actor In Talks to Play Russian Mystic Monk in Upcoming Jason Hall Screenplay

If actor Leonardo DiCaprio is looking for something to test his range, he may have found it. According to reports, the actor has signed on to play the infamous Russian monk Grigori Rasputin in an upcoming film, possibly named after the historical figure. 

Deadline.com confirmed that Warner Brothers had acquired the screenplay for the film, written by Jason Hall (also the writer of Bradley Cooper's "American Sniper" screenplay). DiCaprio reportedly wanted to display a new angle on the oft stereotyped monk and was intrigued by elements that Hall brought to the story. 

The real-life Rasputin was a monk and healer kept on staff by Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra due to his alleged success in healing their son Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. Rasputin was notorious for his frequent sexual conquests (possibly even a tryst with Alexandra), and advisors soon grew displeased with how close the monk was with the Romanov family. Several assassination attempts were made and Rasputin was finally killed in 1916 under a series of circumstances that feed into urban legend even today. His assailants reportedly poisoned, shot and strangled him but he died only when thrown into an icy river. 

Although much of Rasputin's life remains poorly explained, the rumors involving his interactions with the Romanovs and his bizarre death have turned him into a villainous character within the popular mindset. He served as the villain in the 1997 animated children's film "Anastasia" and also became a villain within the comic book series "Hellboy." 

The screenplay drawn up by Hall is a long way from production, but it can be expected that DiCaprio will insert some shades of gray into this legend's tale.

DiCaprio's current film "The Wolf of Wall Street" is in post-production.