See who Ridley Scott Wants!

Amitabh Bachchan in Ridley Scott's next film? Yes, maybe…

Mumbai, July 01: While he prepares to share screen space with Johnny Depp in Mira Nair's screen adaptation of the Gregory David Robert's novel Shantaram, Amitabh Bachchan might also add Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe to his new list of Hollywood co-stars for Ridley Scott's next project.

Bachchan received an email from Scott's office last week regarding the film in question; Scott's impressive Body of Lies, which is a thriller with an Al-Qaeda plot. William Monahan, who also wrote The Departed, has written the film.

"Ridley Scott wants me to play a part of the Jordanian in the film. I've asked for more details. I need to see the script before I take a call. Let's be realistic. Who will notice me when DiCaprio and Crowe are in the same film," Bachchan joked on the sidelines of Idea Exchange, a discussion forum hosted by the The Indian Express at Nariman Point.

It appears the man behind such masterpieces as Gladiator and Matchstick Men is really keen to direct Bachchan. The two first met in at the 2003 Marrakech Film Festival in Rabat, Morocco where Scott offered Bachchan a role in the 2005 spectacle Kingdom of Heaven.

Although Bachchan didn't take the part, things look more possitive this time round. Body of Lies features Crowe playing a CIA boss who teams up with DiCaprio as an operative trying to trap an Al Qaeda leader. The film's producers have been desperate to cast Crowe for months, and although he is on board, he wants to read "a polished rewrite" before committing to a contract.

Meanwhile, it seems Bachchan has taken steps in a new direction: acting in English language films.

Other than Shantaram, he has just completed Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear where he plays an aging stage actor in the Calcutta in the late 40's. "It was my character's greatest desire to play Lear, but he couldn't fulfill it. Then they come to him with an offer to play a clown in the circus. And due to some circumstances he has to take it up. That's the pathos in the film," says Bachchan.

Of this new phase in his life, Bachchan says, "It keeps me creatively challenged, so its good. A good script is a good script whatever be the language of expression."

Impressive, the script itself is intriguing! 😃 I hope he takes it up as Kingdom of Heaven wouldn't have done him justice but this role sounds promising.

"Let's be realistic. Who will notice me when DiCaprio and Crowe are in the same film," Bachchan joked"

Omg isnt he too nice Humility personified!😃

Good ;lord.I am just excitedl over the top abt Shantaram and The Last lEar!😳 N haila a film co staring Dicapio and Crowe! Wowxzers!!1😳

Originally posted by: pardesi-mem

Impressive, the script itself is intriguing! 😃 I hope he takes it up as Kingdom of Heaven wouldn't have done him justice but this role sounds promising.

yeah I agree n to add to that Departed was excellent..same writerse ummeedein toh bahut hai!😆 and Dicaprio n Crowe with Big B will be a treat trio to watch for me