It's been less than a week since Hugh Hefner died and now, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Jared Leto has signed on to star as the Playboy founder in an upcoming movie.
Director and producer Brett Ratner told THR that Leto didn't hesitate to take on the role. "When he heard I got the rights to Hef's story, he told me, 'I want to play him. I want to understand him.' And I really believe Jared can do it. He's one of the great actors of today."
Ratner has been working on bringing Hefner's story to the big screen since 2007.
Robert Downey Jr. and Hugh Jackman were reportedly in talks to play Hef at one point, but now Leto is apparently taking the reins.
There is no studio attached to the untitled Hefner movie yet, but given that Leto famously goes to extremes to get into character, people are already making jokes about him playing Hefner.
"Jared Leto will fuck anything that moves to get into character as Hugh Hefner"
Check out this exclusive photo of Jared Leto on the set of the new Hugh Hefner biopic
Jared Leto is playing Hugh Hefner. My soul just collapsed imagining the method acting crap he'll pull for this one.
It's all a little too much.
"Jared Leto signs on to play Hugh Hefner in a biopic directed by Brett Ratner"
As America’s conscience, Jimmy Kimmel needs to speak out tonight against Jared Leto playing Hugh Hefner in a Brett Ratner film
Jared Leto is starring in a Hugh Hefner biopic by Brett Ratner? ah yes, the perfect team for that ~feminist legacy~ i've been hearing about.