Leonardo DiCaprio will 'Beat the Reaper'
Leonardo DiCaprio has got another movie lined up for him to star in. New Regency has picked up the rights to a novel entitled 'Beat the Reaper' by Josh Bazell. The book is about Dr. Peter Brown who is an intern at Manhattan's worst hospital, with a talent for medicine, a shift from hell, and a past he'd prefer to keep hidden. Whether it's a blocked circumflex artery or a plan to land a massive malpractice suit, he knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. Pietro "Bearclaw" Brnwna is a hitman for the mob, with a genius for violence, a well-earned fear of sharks, and an overly close relationship with the Federal Witness Relocation Program. More likely to leave a trail of dead gangsters than a molecule of evidence, he's the last person you want to see in your hospital room. Nicholas LoBrutto, aka Eddy Squillante, is Dr. Brown's new patient, with three months to live and a very strange idea: that Peter Brown and Pietro Brnwa might-just might-be the same person. Now, with the mob, the government, and death itself descending on the hospital, Peter has to buy time and do whatever it takes to keep his patients, himself, and his last shot at redemption alive. To get through the next eight hours-and somehow beat the reaper.
Sounds like it could be pretty intense. I can see DiCaprio take on a role like that of Dr. Peter Brown. This seems like a good fit for him. This is a guy that never has to worry about not getting work, I think his best work is still to come. Variety Reports:
Julie Yorn will produce with DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran. Pic will be a co-production between Appian Way and the new production/management venture recently launched by Rick Yorn. Appian Way's Aaron Criswell also will be involved as a producer.
The book is just being published by Little Brown, which acquired the title in an eight-house auction in 2007. Bazell, a medical intern, was in his hospital scrubs on the night shift as publishers waged a seven-figure fight for his first novel.
Now he's got a film deal as well. What a lucky guy. DiCaprio just got finished shooting 'Shutter Island' with Martin Scorsese, and his production company is currently developing a live action 'Akira' movie.