Reports in American trade magazine Variety have started a press feeding frenzy. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire are believed to be in the running for This Is Our Youth when it returns to the West End in the autumn.

Although nothing has been signed as yet and several leading actors are being considered for the play, the producers' (Claire Lawrence and Anna Waterhouse) press agent has confirmed with Theatrenow that Anna Waterhouse is in Los Angeles hoping to secure a deal.

Kenneth Lonergan is one of the hottest American playwrights around at the moment (his Lobby Hero has transferred from the Donmar to the New Ambassadors) and his writing, combined with high-profile movie stars in the lead role (first Hayden Christensen, then Matt Damon), made This Is Our Youth a huge hit, not least because it attracted a much younger than usual audience to the Garrick Theatre.

Were the stars of "Titanic" and "Spiderman" (known to be close friends in real life) to appear alongside each other in the West End this autumn, the producers and their investors could expect a very happy Christmas.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow