Scandinavian director Morten Tyldum (Headhunters) is set to helm The Imitation Game, the 2011 Black List topper that is based on the life of British mathematician Alan Turing. Graham Moore’s script centers on Turing, a brilliant cryptanalyst whose expertise cracked Germany’s “Enigma code” and helped turn the tide of World War II for the Allies. Leonardo DiCaprio was previously attached to star in the picture with J Blakeson to direct, but neither party is still involved. Hit the jump for more on The Imitation Game.

Current reports have it that Leonardo DiCaprio is passing on the WWII picture, The Imitation Game and Warner Bros. is following suit.  The studio previously picked up the Graham Moore script for a seven-figure sum as part of last year’s Black List.  The script, an adaptation of Andrew Hodges’ 1983 book, “Alan Turing:The Enigma,” centered on Turing, a mathematician and British cryptographer who cracked German codes and helped the Allies win the war.  Later in life, Turing was prosecuted for being a homosexual, an event that led to his eventual suicide.  There is little word as to why DiCaprio passed on the role, but director J Blakeson (The Disappearance of Alice Creed) is still attached.  Hit the jump for more on why WB has backed out.

Warner Bros. bought Graham Moore’s spec script The Imitation Game in a 7-figure deal today.  The buzz is reportedly great on Moore’s debut script about the life of British mathematician/computer scientist Alan Turing, though that is not necessarily why the studio outbid several independent companies for the rights.  Rather it is because Leonardo DiCaprio is very interested in the project and has “the inside track” to star.  Moreover, Ron Howard—who won the Oscar when he directed the math biopic A Beautiful Mind—is reportedly interested in the directing.  No talent is officially attached yet.

Turing’s life is absurdly suited for the cinematic ups and downs of a biopic.  Credited as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, Turing was integral in the development of the modern computer, and a key codebreaker for the British during World War II.  And the downs: Turing was criminally prosecuted for his homosexuality, elected chemical castration over prison, and finally ended his tormented life with a cyanide apple.  More after the jump.