Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to confirm this week that he will play Irish High King Brian Boru in a new epic film.
The Titanic star has been heavily tipped for the lead role in Freedom within the Heart - scripted by Mark Mahon from Cork.

It tells the story of Boru's battle against the invading Vikings. Insiders are describing it as an "Irish Braveheart". It's understood that negotiations with DiCaprio and his agents are in the final stages.

Mr Mahon's film, Strength and Honour, won awards for the best leading actor and best picture at the Boston Film Festival last week. Talking about Freedom within the Heart, Mr Mahon said that it had the potential to be an Irish version of "Braveheart".

He told the Sunday Independent: "It is a fantastic story about an incredible time in Irish history and I am very excited about the whole project."

DiCaprio, 32, has been in negotiations for the past six months and a decision on the contract is expected this week. The film will tell the story of Boru's rise to become a powerful leader and will culminate in the Battle of Clontarf between his Irish army and the Vikings.

There are plans to shoot the film on location in Ireland in early 2008.

Is an American Actor the best choice?

Wow this is very exciting I had always wondered if there was going to be a film about Brian Boru. I'm assuming Di Caprio will be one of a few actors who will play the different stages of Brian Borus life?

Was an Aussie the best for Braveheart? How many Greeks starred in Troy? I could even make the argument that, assuming Leo hasn`t got the fáinne, is english the best language to make a film in about people who spoke Irish or Norse? This will be a Hollywood blockbuster. They are the ones putting up the money and they need a star to recoup it . The question is will di Caprio have enough screen presence to play someone like Boru then my own answer would be I doubt it. Is he a good enough actor to adopt an East Clare accent the answer is again I doubt it. But it doesn`t have anything really do with him being an American. If he has any sense he won`t try and put on an Irish accent he should just tone down aim for a neutral accent.

To be honest I`d be scared of what they could do the story.

Mel Gibson is the only man for this - Leo is just too much of a pretty boy.

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Pro Deo, Rege et Patria, Hibernia Unanimis

Leo is an excellent actor ... he normally does independent movies and just don't judge him on the titanic!

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Yeah, I get UR points a chara.

However, what I really meant 2 say was -:

There are many many talented Irish Actors about, thus why pick an American?

Bearing in mind the excellent way Liam Neeson potrayed Micheal Collins

If I had to choose, Brendan Glesson would most certainly top my list. As he looked an almighty Celtic Warrior in Braveheart

an Irish actor and cast should be used for the Irish in the film

Brian Boru lived into his 80s, did he not, and DiCaprio is 32. I would have loved to see Richard Harris play him.

Oh I do agree - but look at him in the gangs of New York - acted off the stage by Daniel Day Lewis - Jim Broadbent was more convincing as Boss Tweed. In fact all the actors in that were good - they certainly were convincing, pity they did not get the stick fighting right though. What about the scottish actor who played McGloin?

But we do have a great pool of actors that can be used. Neeson has the face for it, Gleeson must get a role, Colin Farrel, Ciaran Hinds, damn - we have many fine actors.

Perhaps Neeson should be Boru - after all this time he can wait until the end of a film before getting killed - will be a nice new departure for him

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Romanticist 75%, Fundamentalist 69%, Idealist 63%, Cultural Creative 63%, Postmodernist 56%, Modernist 44%, Existentialist 44%, Materialist 19%

Pro Deo, Rege et Patria, Hibernia Unanimis

He did indeed, had reached quite an age before he was slaughtered. I reckon Brendan Gleeson of Colm Meaney would have done a good job as well especially since most of Bóroimhe's high deeds were done when he was middle-aged. Frankly, I know Di Caprio will make Bóruimhe sound like he was from County Antrim given his performance as a supposed kerryman in Gangs of New York.