Director Martin Scorsese’s next two film projects have reportedly been postponed, affecting his anticipated seventh collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio. Scorsese, known for classics like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, was set to begin production on The Life of Jesus and a biopic about singer Frank Sinatra.
According to a report by Variety, neither project will enter production this year as planned. The Life of Jesus, announced in 2022, has been delayed due to factors including the recent Hollywood writers’ strike. Based on Shūsaku Endō’s novel exploring Jesus Christ’s divine and human nature, this film would mark Scorsese’s return to religious themes after The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Silence (2016). Casting details remain unconfirmed, but rumors suggest Andrew Garfield, who starred in Silence, might be involved.
The Sinatra biopic, in development for several years, is also facing delays. The film was rumored to feature DiCaprio as Sinatra and possibly Jennifer Lawrence as Ava Gardner, focusing on their tumultuous relationship. Production teams were reportedly informed in mid-August that the planned November start date was canceled, with no new schedule announced.
Complicating matters for the Sinatra project is the need for approval from the Sinatra estate, controlled by Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Tina Sinatra. Gaining estate approval has been a longstanding hurdle. In a 2017 interview with The Toronto Sun, Scorsese acknowledged, “It’s very hard because the family is so involved. They’ve got their own image of their father, and they should have.”
Scorsese’s most recent film, Killers of the Flower Moon, is a 3.5-hour epic about the 1920s murders of Osage Nation members after oil is discovered on their land. Starring DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, it premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim and is set for an October 2023 release. Industry buzz suggests it could be a strong contender during awards season.
The postponement of Scorsese’s upcoming projects leaves their future uncertain. Fans and industry observers hope that scheduling conflicts, estate approvals and other obstacles can be resolved. Both films represent significant undertakings for the director, who continues to push creative boundaries.
No official statements have been released by Scorsese or his representatives regarding the delays. The film community awaits further news on whether these projects will proceed and potentially add to Scorsese’s legacy of cinematic achievements.
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