Double the Pleasure: Armie Hammer and Theron to love Leo in Clint Eastwood’s 'Hoover'

Armie Hammer’s role as both Winklevoss twins in The Social Network continues to earn praise (unfortunately not enough for any Best Supporting mentions) and now it’s earned him a prestigious role in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic, currently titled “J. Edgar.” Hammer will play Clyde Tolson, a lawyer who entered the FBI as a clerk and worked his way up to Associate Director and ultimately became Hoover’s protégé. The title role of J. Edgar will be played by Leonardo DiCaprio and the script was penned by Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black of Milk fame. Eastwood and fellow Malpaso exec will produce the Warner Bros. biopic alongside the Imagine Entertainment duo of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.

Gist: J. Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the FBI and is credited with building into a large and efficient crime-fighting agency. The film will focus on his scandalous career and controversial private life as a homosexual – this is where Hammer’s character will tie-in, and rumoured cross dresser.

Worth Noting: Hoover once described Tolson as his alter ego: the men not only worked closely together during the day, but also took meals, went to night clubs and vacationed together. Hoover also willed Tolson his estate. These are the grounds for advocates of Hoover’s sexuality, although many people close to both men deny any relationship beyond that of friends.

Do We Care?: If Mr. Eastwood cares – so do we. He can pick from any actors in the business and the fact that he’s chosen Hammer only helps to cement the young actor’s talent.

Update!: News it coming out in pairs today: Vulture reports that Charlie Theron will play Helen Gandy, a Justice Department file clerk Hoover selected as his personal secretary at the age of 21, and who wound up working for him for over 54 years.

QUICK LINKS

J. Edgar,  Charlize Theron,  Leonardo DiCaprio,  Armie Hammer,  Clint Eastwood,