Judi Dench Joins Clint Eastwood’s J. EDGAR; Charlize Theron “Leaning Toward” Joining Film

Dame Judi Dench has joined Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic, J. Edgar.  The Oscar-winner (Shakespeare in Love) will play alongside a confirmed cast that currently includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer (The Social Network), and Damon Herriman (FX’s Justified).  As of yet, there is no word on the nature of Dench’s role.  In 2011, she can be seen with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in Jane Eyre and alongside Michelle Williams, Emma Watson, and Kenneth Branagh in My Week with Marilyn.

In related news, SandwichJohnFilms [via The Playlist] is also reporting that Charlize Theron is “leaning toward” joining J. Edgar.  If you’ve been following the development of the project, you know that Theron has been offered the role of Helen Gandy (Hoover’s personal secretary).  However, Theron is currently tasked with choosing between J. Edgar and Universal’s tentpole project Snow White and the Huntsman (both films are scheduled to shoot in February 2011).