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As if there aren’t enough crackpot conspiracy theories out there regarding the JFK assassination, now Warner Brothers and Leonardo DiCaprio have optioned yet another book about the tragedy. Bad enough that Warner Bros made Oliver Stone’s nutty 1991 movie JFK starring Kevin Costner. But shame on the studio for timing this latest project — claiming proof that the Mafia was behind it — to the 50th anniversary of JFK’s murder coming up in 2013. Not only is Leo starring but his production company Appian Way will produce. Leo’s PR firm issued a press release about it this morning saying that 
“an acclaimed director who has previously worked with Leonardo has expressed interest in directing the film”. Marty Scorsese, because of the mob connection? Hard to believe that Steven Spielberg is interested. Or Clint Eastwood, who is directing DiCaprio in the J Edgar Hoover biopic for Warner Bros. Given that this latest JFK assassination conspiracy book is supposed to be based on declassified FBI files, Leo really took his latest role rather seriously:
Los Angeles, CA (November 18, 2010) – Leonardo DiCaprio will star in a feature film based on the non-fiction JFK assassination book “Legacy of Secrecy,” written by Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann. DiCaprio will also be producing on behalf of his production house, Appian Way. Warner Brothers, who is responsible for the success of the celebrated film “JFK,” plans to release the DiCaprio film in time for the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination in 2013.
DiCaprio will play FBI informant Jack Van Laningham, who obtained the confession of Mafia godfather Carlos Marcello to having ordered JFK’s assassination.
As part of a dangerous and long-secret undercover operation, the FBI positioned Van Laningham to become the confidant of Marcello, who ruled organized crime in Louisiana and most of Texas for decades.
The FBI’s clandestine operation with Van Laningham and the full story behind Marcello’s JFK confession remained secret for decades, until Waldron and Hartmann published the declassified FBI files from the National Archives in 2009′s “Legacy of Secrecy.”
Carlos Marcello, who died in 1993, has not yet been the subject of a feature film, though he has long been of interest to authorities investigating JFK’s murder. In 1979, a Congressional Committee concluded that “Marcello had the motive, means, and opportunity to assassinate President Kennedy.” Even though FBI and Secret Service files cited in “Legacy of Secrecy” show that more than a dozen of Marcello’s men and family members were questioned or arrested by authorities for JFK’s murder, Marcello’s name did not appear in the 1964 Warren Report, which consisted of an 888-page investigation into the assassination presented to President Johnson.
Producing with DiCaprio will be his father, George DiCaprio, who brought the book to his son’s attention. An acclaimed director who has previously worked with Leonardo has expressed interest in directing the film.
Van Laningham and Waldron are represented by attorney Phillip Rosen. Because the 900+ page “Legacy of Secrecy” contains so much new information from the National Archives that can’t fit in the film — including the Mafia’s role in the assassination of Martin Luther King and in Watergate — Warner Brothers has permitted Waldron to keep documentary film and TV rights. Earl Katz, an Executive Producer of the “Legacy” film for Appian Way and Warner, will produce one or more of those documentaries.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Sounds like this one will be more an undercover FBI story, and if the “acclaimed director” turns out to be Scorsese, this will be one heck of a film.
I’m hearing its either Kristine Peterson of Critters 3 fame or Jerry Zaks of Marvin’s Room that is the “acclaimed director who previously worked with Leonardo” expressing interest in this project.
@ Dallas
hahaha
Nikki, this isn’t a crackpot theory at all. In fact, it’s the opposite. Legacy of Secrecy is solidly researched and backed up by extensive FBI documentation.
That is correct about “Legacy of Secrecy”. It is well researched and concentrates on the enormous amount of contact amongst Cuban exiles in America, elements of organized crime and certain goverenment officials intent on killing Castro.
None of this information was made available to the Warren Commission. In addition, the book will give one a better idea of why RFK was almost frozen in his steps regarding any investigation.There have been importantt books published since the film JFK, “Legacy” joins Newman’s “Oswald and the CIA” and Jefferson Morley’s “Our Man in Mexico” and David Talbot’s “Brothers” as among the best.
And why this isn’t more widely reported I can only wonder, but E. Howard Hunt confessed to his log-suspected role–and identified others involved–on his deathbed, as documented in Rolling Stone.
Maybe the handful of corporations that own Hollywood along with all the major networks and publishing companies don’t want to upset all the ticket buyers who sit there in the dark?
Yes, I suppose they need simple stories, where brave American heroes always win in the end.
Documented in Rolling Stone? They confused the mag with rolling papers, once again.
THIS!
This isn’t a “theory” at all. The case has been solved. This is the true story – and is just slowly gaining main-stream acceptance.
Only Yahoos care.
The conclusions drawn in the book are supposition and allegation, and a willingness to ignore key facts. The house committee that reexamined the assassination in the 1970s showed, step by step, that Oswald was the shooter and that he acted alone. Ballistics experts and crime scene investigators flatly stated that Dealy Plaza was a clear-cut crime scene; that subsequent reenactments showed the so-called grassy knoll shot to be an echo, caused by three rapid fire rifle shots. The bullet paths were shown to be correct, when the simple task of adjusting for the height of the 6th floor window and the slope of Elm Street were properly aligned. The “stretcher bullet,” or “magic bullet” was shown to have traveled from Kennedy to Connally. The bullet slowed dramatically after it left Kennedy, a predictable response. It struck Connally and penetrated, but did not cause him to be jolted, the way he would have been if he’d been struck by a full-speed rifle shot. The bullet stayed intact because it was going too slow to become flattened. Fragments from that bullet were matched with fragments recovered from Connally’s wound. This is all contained in documents held at the Smithsonian Institute.
There’s great deal more on the physical evidence, and it all shows that Oswald did it, and he was the only shooter. Not one part of the investigation ever – EVER – resulted in the discovery of any reasonable outside suspect. Again, supposition and allegation and just a plain NEED to believe there was more to the event than there was is what drives these theories. It has become a cottage industry, whereby people make a great deal of money and/or gain fame through their productions. Problem is: You can’t say FOR SURE that no one else was involved – you can’t disprove a negative – there’s always enough ill informed people around to go for it.
Read: Case Closed by Gerald Posner
Watch: The Kennedy Assassination: Beyond Conspiracy, narrated by Jennings of ABC
Watch: On Trial: Lee Harvey Oswald, a mock trial conducted by Vincent Bugliosi in 1986 that showed all of the original evidence and all witnesses who were still available.
This is nauseating. These same people are the modern day truthers.
The pro Warren Commission have two supporters in the mainstream, Posner and Bugliosi. One book written in 1992 and the other in 2008. Each takes the position that the evidence was not tainted, that the autopsy got it right and that it was “just a co-incidence’ that Oswald got a job at the TBD; that the motorcade route was changed that morning; that Ruby managed to get through the “security” of 70 policemen and that Oswald was the only Marine in history to defect during peacetime. The press blew it in 1963 and have spent the past 4 decades trying to make ‘co-incidence” into a mantra. The real cottage industry is the canard that “they got it right” in 1963.
Almost all of the “mainstream” supports the truth: that Oswald acted alone. Oswald had the job at TBD before JKF’s trip was announced. The motorcade route was not changed in the morning; it had been set for weeks. 1963 was good ole boy time for virtual pimps like Jack Ruby; many of his kind had disgracefully easy access to the police. Guess why? He had Janies taking care of their Johnnys any time they wanted. Worst kept secret about the investigation. Anyway, name one piece of evidence that was tainted – that means how, what evidence was put in its place, what evidence was added that hadn’t originally been there. You can’t do it because it isn’t true. What about the autopsy was wrong? I won’t say it was right, you just explain how it was wrong. I noticed you didn’t mention the pristine stretcher bullet; that’s because that lie was smashed by scientific tests in 1963! Not one claim by the conspiracy believers has ever been established as true. Not one. That’s because there isn’t one. You are among the people that the cottage industry needs to survive.
“Not one claim by the conspiracy believers has ever been established as true.”
Not one claim, huh?
Let me give you some advice. If you actually want to convince people to take your side, don’t make a statement that you cannot possibly substantiate.
So called “conspiracy believers” claim, for example, that Oswald defected to Russia where he married the daughter of a prominent KGB officer after knowing her for only six weeks.
You’ve taken the position, therefore, that this claim is untrue.
And thus you’ve completely demolished your own credibility.
Well, this happens often, you see. Folks in the middle, who still don’t know what to believe, tend to look a little deeper eventually, and when they do, they realize who is misleading them with hyperbole.
And it ain’t, generally, those who believe Oswald did not act alone.
Obviously, you know nothing about this subject. The Texas trip was planned four months before Oswald started work at the TBD on October 15, 1963. Don’t write things until you know the facts.
Are you a CIA plant to keep the public in the dark about the true nature of JFK’s assassination?
You seem PRETTY convinced by the Warren Commission’s findings and all of it’s evidence. Sounds to me like you’re here to keep the lie perpetuating.
I remember when the experts told us that David Ferrie and Lee Oswald were NOT connected. I remember later when a photograph surfaced that showed the two prinicpals at a Civil Air Patrol picnic. We think we know so much, that we’ve got it all figured out.
Hahahaha, nut jobs come out and play.
Agree 100% – Posner’s book lays it all out and is based on FACTS, not theories.
Oswald acted alone. One person changed the course of history. Sorry, but it happens.
Sadly, we have a nation of conspiracy theorists who have wasted
50 years looking under every rock to prove otherwise and have come up with nada…
Right. Keep dreaming in your wet bed.
And if Oswald was acting entirely alone then he was shot, in a police station, by Jack Ruby, a known criminal with established mafia ties why?
Why don’t you explain that one?
A year after his conviction, in March 1965, Ruby conducted a brief televised news conference in which he stated: “Everything pertaining to what’s happening has never come to the surface. The world will never know the true facts of what occurred, my motives. The people who had so much to gain, and had such an ulterior motive for putting me in the position I’m in, will never let the true facts come above board to the world.”
When asked by a reporter: “Are these people in very high positions Jack?”, he responded “Yes.”
Son, you don’t know anything about the case. Please stop writing. You are making an ass of yourself.
posner is an idiot who writes what he is told…..he didnt have an open mind when he began the project, he has some crazier notions about the presidents murder than the nuts out there…..jet streams? pure fiction!!!!
I would add THE DEATH OF A PRESIDENT by William Manchester. I avoided it for years, knowing that it accepted Oswald as the lone gunman. Finally reading it, I realized that the information Manchester had gathered was fresh and untainted by time. About half of the “suspicious” circumstances noted in JFK have valid and logical explanations. Hell of a book! Also check out OSWALD’S GHOST by Norman Mailer, a former conspiracy theorist whose research turned him around. GHOST contains weeks of surveillance transcripts showing Oswald literally farting around his Russian apartment. I say all this as a former believer who cut sound on (and very much enjoyed) JFK, but after that point, I had to defer to Occam’s Razor.
Get your heads out of the sand; you’re in denial – I cant believe there are still people out there who choose to remain utterly ignorant! The last investigation of the JFK Assassination (The House Select Committee on Assassinations aka the HSCA) concluded JFK died as ‘the result of a probable conspiracy’. Lord knows why, after that conclusion, the US Justice department remained inert and did nothing! I suggest you all get your heads out of the sand and put it to better use…like perhaps reading Mark Lane’s books “Rush to Judgement” or “Pausible Denial” or books by Harold Weisberg, Silvia Meagher or Edward Livingstone. Lane’s “Rush to Judgement” was written ‘fresh’ back in 1964-65. Or perhaps you might Google the great Historian/Philosopher Bertrand Russell’s “16 Questions about the Assassination” written about a year after the assassination. I doubt any of you naysayers ever bothered to read anything re JFK assassination, other than maybe Posner’s or Bugliosi’s dumbass books supporting the Warren Report.
Finally, and perhaps the most simple way of all to become a skeptic is to view the famous Zapruder film; I cant imagine that anyone, who viewed this film of the assassination, could possibly conclude the kill shot came from BEHIND Kennedy (where Oswald was located)! Seriously…you’d have to be pretty daft! Google the Zapruder film of the assassination – it’s available online (originally this film was banned from public screening for about 10 years after JFK was murdered). Note, when you view this film, that when the fatal headshot strikes, JFK’s head snaps BACKWARDS and to the LEFT… clearly indicating that shot, at least, came from the Grassy Knoll (where approx. half of all Dealy Plaza witnesses indicated it did). Any sensible person, with (or even without) a sound knowledge of physics, who saw this film evidence, would have to conclude there WAS a 2nd gunman on the knoll and HE was the one who took the shot that killed JFK.
Absolutely right! Another compelling video clip to prove conspiracy is on Youtube. Type in the words “jfk secret service” and a 3 minute clip will show how Kennedy’s bodyguards were ordered OFF the back of the presidential limo just as it was leaving Love Field to drive through Dallas. This proves the government was behind Kennedy’s murder. Who else would have the authority to arrange this? Et tu, Lyndon?
I hope Tommy Lee Jones reprises his role as Clay Bertrand. Nothing can stop DiCaprio now.
Stone’s JFK may have been theoretically bogus, but that is one helluva technical masterpiece! The craftsmanship of that movie is iconic!
I enjoyed Stone’s JFK — it was a bit long, which Stone tends to do, but it kept me engaged until the end, when Costner went into that long speech. Movie def needed some trimming.
Indeed. That film can be incorrect in all its glory all it wants, its still a brilliant fucking movie.
I don’t believe it was theoretically bogus — the central theory behind the theory is perfectly plausible. BUT he added so much window dressing, and fabricated scenes for the sake of exposition, and that’s what destroyed the film’s credibility.
But yes, *technically* it’s a fantastic film.
yeah, sorry, but ‘nutty’ isn’t the word I think of. Great performances, great storytelling, a method of dealing with fact vs theory that works (scenes in color are documented, black and white means ‘hey, who knows?’)…it’s the only Stone film I can watch again.
Oliver Stone’s ‘nutty’ movie? Are you for real? Regardless of what one may think of the theories he posited, JFK is one hell of a great movie – tense, visually engrossing and full of great performances, including from Costner. And that’s saying something.
“Regardless of what one may think of the theories he posited”
Don’t they count???
Not in terms of drama, writing, directing, editing, acting, score, etc. It’s an incredibly well-crafted film.
JFK is a screaming, insane lie! If it were presented as fiction, fine. Why don’t you see that?
I’m sure you’ve done enough research to know that, or perhaps you believe everything your government tells you. Those of us who have examined the actual facts of the case know that there cannot be so many anomalous facts without there being a big lie woven through the fabric. Start with the explanation of the Zapruder film which shows JFK’s head blown back and to the left. Against the laws of physics and biology the apologists for the government maintain that some mysterious muscle spasm or Kennedy’s brace caused this weird never-before-seen-or-recorded reaction to a shot from behind. Probably, you live in your Pollyana world where there are no nefarious Machavellian conspiracies because your oh so perfect construct of “democracy” doesn’t permit it. Others of us live in the real world and we look at the facts, not the fiction your government provides. J. Edgar Hoover hated three men — three very powerful men — with a white hot purple rage and each was killed by a “lone assassin” within a five year period. What do think the actuarial tables for that probability are? Think about it. Hoover never recognized Cosa Nostra as existant — because they were his friends. He hung out with Frank Costello at Coronodo Del Mar race track every year. Do some research you idiot!!!
This is the DiCaprio project of the week.
so true LOL
Why exactly is this theory crackpot, Nikki? You don’t believe governments conspire against presumed enemies? We’ve seen this happen time and time again, but always the press leads these stories with “here’s another crackpot theory.” Enough already. The sinking of the Main, to ignite the Spanish-American war, has been revealed as an American plot. The NSA was forced to admit that the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which launched the US into combat ops in Vietnam, was faked by so called “mid-level managers.” There’s nothing inherently “crackpot” about conspiracy theories. In fact, thousands of people are convicted of engaging in conspiracies every year.
Oh, the Marcello conspiracy theory! Anyone who is interested in this should read the rather great Vincent Bugliosi book, “Reclaiming History,” where he takes apart this conspiracy theory with great ease and proves, again, that it was a fabrication by Marcello’s lawyer to sell a book. But on the other hand, the same kind of hokum was the basis for “The Amityville Horror” and it still made for a damn fine movie!
So what Vincent Bugliosi wasn’t selling a book?
Yet another attempt to keep the good ole boy network relevant and WORKING. Familiar writers, producers, actors, directors, etc. Thank God for Netflix.
If you want to do a governmental conspiracy movie there’s so many current themes and story lines to explore. How about 9-11? You’d think with the success Michael Moore had with Fahrenheit 911 someone would follow up with a feature film. Seems like that would require too much common sense for these intellectual lightweights or more balls than is commonplace among the “artsy” crowd.
Stone’s JFK film was awesome! However, this sounds like one of those projects DiCaprio’s PRcompany acquires, but will never come to fruition. I do agree that it’s a bit in poor taste to use the 50th Anniversary of his presidency as a marketing gimmick. That’s pretty sad. If they were making a JFK bio film, then maybe. But not this.
OH NO! not another conspiracy movie. Now that Teddy is dead there aren’t many Kennedys who will stand up to Hollywood. They’re beating a dead horse with this story. And lwhat’s with Leo and all the drama….shouldn’t he be trying comedy about now in his career?
Stone’s JFK is a brilliant piece of American cinema and features some of the best work by Robert Richardson and Puerto Scalia. Surprised by such broad judgments, Ms. Finke!!
Hey, say what you will about Stone’s film, it was a remarkable combination of fever-dream intensity with rather skillfull filmmaking.
JFK was the beginning of the end of Stone(d)’s credibility with mainstream people. He’s a Mad Hatter genius, who does mesmerizing work, but who also belongs in a bin.
Perhaps Arlen Specter can be in the film, and surprise us all with a revelation at the end….
The government did such a terrible job with the Warren Commission and 9/11 Commission that the errors and information neglected give life to conspiracy theories.
Still Stone’s film is entertaining, full of fiction but keeps you hooked for the entire three hours.
Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, shot JFK.
That’s not what the House Select Committee on Assassinations decided in 1978. They said it was a conspiracy.
JFK is a “crackpot, nutty film?” It’s a technical masterpiece, 20 years ahead of its time. Tighten it up, Nikke
The real conspiracy theory here is the one being propagated by people who think Leo will ever actually make this movie.
Facts can lay a good foundation for a story, but ultimately it is still a story and what really matters is if it is told well.
Bounder, it’s been open season for both theorizing and debunking JFK’s murder for a long time. Legacy of Secrecy was just published last year, is fully documented with recently released FBI files, and crystal clear and easy to follow. You should read it rather than assuming you know what’s in it, because unless you’re psychic or something, you don’t.
Does Legacy Of Secrecy point out new evidence, especially physical evidence? Does it actually debunk things accepted as evidence, that was used to come to the conclusion that Oswald did it, alone? Does it name witnesses whose statements have been verified? It doesn’t. It’s not possible, because the case would have been made more than 4 decades ago. All you’ve got is warmed over bs with some new twists.
Good timing. The Jesse Ventura conspiracy show on the Travel Channel is supposed to be all about a new JFK theory tonight.
The show is on Tru-TV.
A little “been there, done that”, isn’t it?
Pretty much. Oh yay, another film where Dicaprio plays his usual tense/uptight/bipolar type character he’s played for a while. Boring.
Many of these conspiracy theories (for and against) tend to operate at the level of metaphysics and are no less resistant to objective verification. Marcello’s lawyer may have been selling a book, but lots more tie him to the hit on President Kennedy. We may never know for sure.
Down on the Bayou 30 years ago, while finishing law school and studying for for the Louisiana Bar Exam, I clerked for an attorney of Sicilian background who sued Marcello on behalf of a client with a business beef. I wrote the trial brief. Everyone thought we were suicidally insane but after we won, the Dignified Don crossed the courtroom to offer a position as one of his “lawyas.” My boss turned Marcello down – - very politely.
Fascinating anecdote. Thank you.
Lots more WHAT ties him to the hit on Kennedy, Mr. Coleman? If you can’t explain it, or direct us to credible sources that do, don’t make any claims. You look like a charlatan.
Ralph: Time for your chill pill. Lots of links. RFK summarily packed Marcello on a plane to Central America and the reputed Don had to make his own way Back to the Bayou. Marcello was quite perturbed about it. Other documented links to Oswald, Ruby and others. Interesting tho, that like religion, this topic attracts so many fanatics who claim absolute knowledge one way or the other about something that’s unlikely ever to be known for sure, as we see vividly illustrated here.
Besides, you don’t know me, haven’t seen me or know what I look like.
anyone believing in lone assassin/single bullet theory,,, needs to do more research.
I’ve done the research. It’s all cr*p cooked up by liars. The single bullet fact was proven beyond all doubt. It is denied and ignored by people who want to make hay off of a phony conspiracy theory.
Clint Hill and Gerald Blaine were at the Sixth Floor Museum yesterday — both stated they didn’t believe the single bullet theory. Clint Hill said he saw three shots hit. Three shots, three hits. Blaine said he went by what Sam Kinney, the agent driving the back-up car said, “three shots hit.” Four shots in all counting the missed shot that hit the curb and injured the man watching the motorcade, James Tague. That makes Four shots. Impossible for a single shooter. You all know this. Why do you keep spouting off the single bullet THEORY?
Debra Conway, JFK Lancer
LOL! Only an idiot would be positing more than three shots in 2010, Debra. This is the kind of crap people find down @ JFK Lancer is it?
Hmm, nah. YOU need to do more research. The SBT is a FACT. Try seeking out a decent study like CONFIRMATION OF THE SINGLE BULLET THEORY that was cited as conclusive by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Bite your tongue, Nikki! Stone’s film is a masterpiece, a milestone of filmmaking excellence with top-notch performances. Not to mention the fact that it’s one of the best-edited films of our time!
Yes, Garrison was a nut-ball (and Stone greatly toned down some of his nuttier theories), but the film itself holds your attention from beginning to end. Not many 3 1/2 hour films that you can say that about it!
And it will be interesting the DiCaprio film as a counter-point to Stone’s, particularly with the thesis that the Mob ordered JFK’s assassination. In Stone’s film, Costner/Garrison emphatically states that the Mob didn’t have the balls, muscle, or resources to pull such a thing off.