Leonardo DiCaprio for 'The Gambler' remake?

Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly wanted for the lead role in Martin Scorsese remake of The Gambler for Paramount.

The director previously cast DiCaprio in the gangster crime thriller The Departed.

James Caan starred in the original, which was inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novella of the same title.

DiCaprio would take on the role of New York professor Axel Freed, whose secret gambling addiction affects his life in unexpected ways.

The English Literature academic ends up with a massive debt which he is forced to hide from his loving family and friends. To get rid of the debt, he enlists the help of one of his students who is a basketball star - but goes to extreme lengths to deal with the guilt of corrupting him.

DiCaprio has not confirmed the role yet, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor will next be seen in Romeo + Juliet director Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the classic novel The Great Gatsby.

Scorsese has most recently produced a number of projects including Boardwalk Empire, Hugo and the biopic Sinatra.

Watch a clip of Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed below: