Martin Scorsese is among the most respected directors in film, and has been since his incredible run of classic films in the 1970s and 1980s which began with Mean Streets, his first collaboration with close friend Robert DeNiro. As a result, whenever Scorsese is starting a new project it’s major news. But right now there’s one problem: Scorsese‘s name has been attached to so many films in the pipeline that we have no idea what will be his next project after the release of Hugo Cabret later this year! In fact, I’m not sure if he even knows, either!
In honor of the Preakness, not only am I going to give you a brief synopsis of what we know about each project, but I am also going to give you the odds of that project becoming Scorsese‘s next film. Feel free to bet amongst your friends in the Scorsese Stakes!
1) Silence — This film was originally announced to be Scorsese‘s follow-up to his Oscar-winning The Departed, but obviously that didn’t happen. Based on the novel by Shusaku Endo, Silence tells the story of two 17th century Jesuit missionary priests who face resistance in their efforts to convert Japan to Christianity. It would be a return for Scorsese to his Catholic-inspired filmmaking, which he has drifted away from somewhat. About five years ago Benicio Del Toro, Gael García Bernal, and Daniel Day-Lewis were attached to star, although the latter is probably no longer available because he’ll be starring in Steven Spielberg‘s Lincoln. The screenplay is by Jay Cocks, who previously wrote Scorsese‘s Gangs of New York and The Age of Innocence (both of which also starred Day-Lewis).
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 3-1… just don’t count on Daniel Day-Lewis still being in the cast.
2) Sinatra — The greatest Italian-American director making a film about the greatest Italian-American singer? It’s a match made in heaven. The screenplay is by Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams). Leonardo DiCaprio‘s name has occasionally been kicked around for the lead, but I honestly can’t see him, talented as he is, pulling off Sinatra. My gut tells me that Scorsese better go “unknown” for the lead in this one, perhaps someone who can actually sing.
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 12-1… there’s no reason to rush this one, and the search for the lead alone will take months.
3) The Irishman AKA I Hear You Paint Houses — I really hope this film, if it ends up being made, goes with the second title. This film, based on the life of of Frank Sheeran, the mob hitman who claims to have murdered Jimmy Hoffa, has not only Robert DeNiro in the lead, but Joe Pesci and Al Pacino attached to star. Probably the top three “mafia” actors in one film. Start printing the tickets for sellouts. The problem is that Pacino and Pesci are both attached to star in the upcoming Gotti film, and DeNiro, as usual, has about six projects in the pipeline, meaning that these three Oscar winners may not have the time in their schedules to coordinate such a project.
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 20-1… although it’s probably the sentimental favorite.
4) The Wolf of Wall Street — Just in case you haven’t gotten enough of movies about corrupt Wall Street “fat cats” comes a movie that is about one of the biggest: Jordan Belfort, whose hard-partying and criminal business practices in his financial firm Stratton Oakmont inspired the film Boiler Room. Adapted from Belfort’s book by Terrence Winter, who collaborates with Scorsese on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Leonardo DiCaprio has been attached to star in this one since the get-go. According to Deadline this project was purchased by Red Granite Pictures this month at Cannes so this one seems to be definitely happening, but Scorsese hasn’t yet signed to direct. Ridley Scott‘s name has also been floated as a possible director, too.
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 18-1… while this film will get made, look for Scorsese‘s name to be likely attached as producer, not director.
5) The Comedian — This one was just mentioned in a ShowBiz411 article about DeNiro. DeNiro would star as an aging insult comic (think Don Rickles) in a script by Art Linson, who produced DeNiro in Heat, This Boy’s Life, and The Untouchables, with the comedy bits written by stand-up comic Jeffrey Ross. The article mentions that Linson wants Scorsese to direct, which is certainly a lot different from Scorsese wanting to direct. Although the title hearkens back to the wonderful Scorsese/DeNiro collaboration The King of Comedy, I don’t see Scorsese dropping his other projects he developed himself to do this one.
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 30-1… DeNiro will probably end doing this with another director, and hopefully not the dude who did Little Fockers.
6) Taxi Driver Remake — In 2003, Danish director Lars Von Trier remade the 1967 short The Perfect Human five times in The Five Obstructions, each with a different “challenge” to hamper its production and force Von Trier to overcome adversity. Von Trier challenged Scorsese to do the same, reportedly challenging him to remake Taxi Driver. According to Geek Tyrant, Magnolia Pictures has picked this project up for distribution despite Von Trier making a total ass of himself last week at Cannes by declaring himself to be a Nazi (?) which he claimed to be a joke… or not. Nobody knows for sure. But I’m sure Scorsese isn’t happy about that.
Odds of Being Scorsese’s Next: 6-1… there’s a deal in place, but this will probably end up being more of a documentary then anything else in order not to piss off everyone in the world who has no desire to see Taxi Driver remade.
So place your bets, then let us know in the comments which film YOU think will be Scorsese’s next!
Recent Comments