Naomi Watts’ rep confirms that the actress has been cast in “J. Edgar”, according to Entertainment Weekly. Watts’ character is supposed to be playing Hoover’s secretary, Helen Gandy. Gandy, according to Deadline, was called by Hoover as indispensable and kept many of Hoover’s secrets. She also took it upon herself to keep Hoover’s public persona in tact after his death.
Originally, according to Deadline, Watts was the forerunner to play Gandy, but the studio behind the film kept looking for other actresses because of the fear that Watts’ schedule wouldn’t fit. Charlize Theron was expected to take the role, but she went on to play the Evil Queen in “Snow White and the Huntsman”.
The Clint Eastwood-directed biopic about J. Edgar Hoover already has a slew of big-budget stars–Leonardo DiCaprio as Hoover himself, Arnie Hammer as Clyde Tolson, and Judi Dench as Anne Marie Hoover.
The screenwriter is also worth note–Dustin Lance Black is writing the script, and he has more than proven his mettle through his screenwriting work on “Milk”, “Pedro”, and “Big Love.”
The film will focus on all aspects of the FBI director’s life, including his salacious career, secret life of homosexuality and the supposed allegations of cross-dressing.The film will be out in 2012.
