Leonardo DiCaprio to play 24 characters in The Crowded Room

Four-time Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio is preparing for another shot at the big prize, this time by playing a man suffering from multiple personality disorder in The Crowded Room.

DiCaprio has been linked with the role for nearly 20 years, and The Hollywood Reporter have said the actor is now confirmed to play Billy Milligan for New Regency. Milligan became the first man to successfully use his condition as a defence in a court of law, having been charged with multiple rape and robbery offences in the late 1970’s. Some of the personalities that Milligan argued he battled with were an uptight Englishman called Arthur and a three-year-old girl.

Milligan passed away last year, which has made the process adapting the non-fiction Daniel Keyes’ book, that the script is to be based on, an easier task. Lucky Number Slevin scribe Jason Smilovic will be writing the screenplay alongside Todd Katzberg.

DiCaprio’s own production company, Appian Way, will make the film with the star himself, Jennifer Davisson and Alexandra Milchan will serve as producers.

Given his unfortunate track-record, perhaps Leo should start preparing 24 looks of dignified acceptance when he loses at the Oscars again?