“The Crowded Room” Movie Update: Leonardo DiCaprio to play his dream role for 20 years and portray 24 different personalities

By Staff Writer

Mar 02, 2015 02:34 AM EST

"The Crowded Room" movie is finally happening after being in limbo in New Regency for a long time. Leonardo DiCaprio will star and produce the film with the production studio. DiCaprio will be fulfilling his dream role for over 20 years as he steps into the shoes of Billy Milligan.

Finally, Leonardo DiCaprio will be able to play a role that he's been eyeing for almost 20 years in the upcoming "The Crowded Room" movie. The Crowded Room is based on the life of Billy Milligan who was the first person to use multiple personality disorder defence in court. DiCaprio has been eagerly interested in portraying Billy Milligan since 1997 due to the huge challenge and the interesting personalities of the character.

"The Crowded Room" is going to be based on the 1981 nonfiction book of Daniel Keyes, "The Minds of Billy Milligan". The following is the book's description in the author's official website:

Out of control of his own actions, Billy Milligan was a man tormented by twenty-four distinct personalities battling for supremacy over his body - a battle that culminated when he awoke in jail, arrested for the kidnap and rape of three women. In a landmark trial, Billy was acquitted of his crimes by reason of insanity caused by multiple personality - the first such decision in history - bringing to public light the most remarkable and harrowing case of multiple personality ever recorded.

Twenty-four people live inside Billy Milligan.

Philip, a petty criminal; Kevin, who dealt drugs and masterminded a drugstore robbery; April whose only ambition was to kill Billy's stepfather; Adalana, the shy, lonely, affection-starved lesbian who "used" Billy's body in the rapes that led to his arrest; David, the eight-year-old "keeper of pain"; Arthur, the Englishman; Ragen, the "keeper of Rage" who possessed incredible strength; Allen, the con man; Tommy, the escape-artist, and all of the others, including men, women, several children, both boys and girls, and the Teacher, the only one who can put them all together. Each of these "people" play a distinct role in this often shocking true story.

Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzberg will co-write the screenplay for its film adaptation of "The Minds of Billy Milligan" and Leonardo DiCaprio will co-produce it together with New Regency. The rights to the book have been in New Regency for years and DiCaprio has been eagerly interested in the role since 1997.

"The Crowded Room" is currently in pre-production and Leonardo DiCaprio's role will be a huge challenge for him as he takes on 24 different personalities.

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