Manson_Black

Lead actor cast in Charles Manson-themed movie

[Photo by: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation]

Following cult leader Charles Manson's death late last year, it's been confirmed that Quentin Tarantino is creating a movie around the Manson Family murders—and Tarantino has cast the lead actor in the film.

Read more: Rob Zombie narrates new Charles Manson documentary—watch the trailer

As The Hollywood Reporter explains, Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to star in the film.

The movie doesn't focus on Manson, though. It is set to take place in Los Angeles in the summer of 1969 and focus on a male TV actor, which DiCaprio is set to play, “who’s had one hit series and his looking for a way to get into the film business. His sidekick—who’s also his stunt double—is looking for the same thing.

“The horrific murder of Sharon Tate and four of her friends by Charles Manson’s cult of followers serves as a backdrop to the main story,” as Consequence Of Sound notes.

The film is set to be released Aug. 9, 2019 which, as The Hollywood Reporter explains, also marks the 50th anniversary of the murders of Tate and her friends by Manson's followers.

Other big names are reportedly being eyed for the film, including Margot Robbie and Tom Cruise.

Manson, who died back in November, was the leader of the Manson Family, a murderous cult connected with the killing of actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant at the time, and six others in Los Angeles July and August 1969.