In a report from the Hollywood Reporter, Leonardo DiCaprio has the opportunity to play the role of his lifetime. This role includes playing the character of Billy Milligan, a man who used multiple personality disorder as a legal defense in court.

Milligan was known for his Ohio legal case that involved the alleged rape of three women at Ohio State University. Milligan was eventually acquitted of the charges and sent to multiple mental institutions. Milligan successfully convinced the court that the crimes that were committed were done by two of his multiple different personalities. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the movie will be based on the nonfiction book “The Minds of Billy Milligan” and has been in development for close to a decade. The title of the film will be “The Crowded Room.”

DiCaprio will be faced with the challenges of fully recreating the character of Milligan, which includes up to 24 different personalities. The Los Angeles Times reported that Milligan had a very troubled childhood and received mental treatment all throughout his life. The Los Angeles also reported that Milligan is from Florida and eventually moved to Ohio. Milligan’s biological father committed suicide, and it was also reported that Milligan was sexually abused as a child by his stepfather. Milligan has just recently passed away in 2014.

DiCaprio has agreed to help produce the film with the entertainment company New Regency. New Regency has most recently had extreme success with their latest film from director Alejandro G. Inarritu’s “Birdman.” The Hollywood Reporter stated that DiCaprio has been interested in playing the character of Milligan for years, the project just had never gotten off the ground. While the book was released in 1981, it has taken more than 30 years for “The Crowded Room” to become a reality.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood has wanted to make this film for a long time and some very talented and well-known directors such as James CameronCQ have given consideration to directing the film.

The Guardian reported that other actors who have been eyed for the role of Milligan include Johnny DeppCQ, Matthew McConaugheyCQ, Sean PennCQ, and Brad PittCQ.

While this film is still in the works, DiCaprio is not only involved with producing the film, this could also be a role of a lifetime for him which could eventually lead to him winning his first Oscar.