Grazer & Eastwood's Diabolical 'J. Edgar'

Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a stunning performance as controversial FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover in the new Clint Eastwood-directed drama J. Edgar, and Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer tells ET's Nancy O'Dell that the public figure became "diabolical."

"I'm particularly fascinated with characters like J. Edgar," says Grazer. "He's someone that began as someone with pure, patriotic intentions, and once he gained the tremendous power that he had, he became diabolical."

MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio on Living the Dream in 'Inception'

In theaters everywhere November 11, J. Edgar chronicles the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's rise as the most powerful man in America for close to 50 years, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe through the administrations of eight presidents. A man who put great value on secrets, Hoover had some incredibly startling secrets of his own, from his mother to his lover.

MORE: Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Display Golden Friendship

The film also stars Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy, Hoover's longtime secretary; Armie Hammer as Hoover's closest colleague Clyde Tolson; Josh Lucas as the legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh; and Judi Dench as Hoover's over-protective mother, Annie Hoover.

Eastwood has his golden boy, and so does Grazer. Can Leo's performance in J. Edgar finally win him the coveted Academy Award?

"He's so deserving of one, it's unbelievable, really," says Grazer. "I think we all hope people are attentive to his performance, and see what kind of sacrifices he made in order to do this role, and if he were to get nominated, I'm sure everybody would be just grateful for that."