Dicaprio To Play Diamond Thief

Published on 02/06/11

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who was one of the driving forces behind the 2006 film Blood Diamonds, which helped make the issue of Africa's conflict diamonds common knowledge, is tackling another diamond-themed movie project and is slated to play the head of the Pink Panthers diamond thieves, the Blic news site reports.

Radio Belgrade host Dragan Ilic reportedly interviewed the author of the screenplay, but said he could not reveal specific details about the project.

The Pink Panthers gang, comprised mainly of Serbs and Montenegrins, has operated worldwide since at least 1999. The gang is believed to have carried out over 270 heists, making off with a total €300 million in stolen jewels. In 2004, the group burst onto the radar when it robbed a Tokyo jewelry store of €32 million worth of diamonds.