Martin Scorsese’s next two projects, The Life of Jesus and the Frank Sinatra biopic, have been postponed. Per Variety, Scorsese planned to begin shooting these projects back-to-back later this year. Now, neither film will be shot this year.
The Life of Jesus was expected to go into production first. The film is based on a 1973 novel by Shūsaku Endō, the same author who wrote the book that inspired Scorsese’s Silence. The Life of Jesus depicts the complicated life and times of Jesus Christ. No casting announcements were made, but Andrew Garfield had been circling the project.
According to the report, Scorsese is “committed” to making The Life of Jesus, which remains in development. The Oscar winner was financing the film independently and planned to shoot in Israel, Italy, and Egypt before the postponement announcement.
Who was Involved in Martin Scorsese’s Frank Sinatra Biopic?
Scorsese’s next film, a Frank Sinatra biopic, was reportedly further along than The Life of Jesus. Leonardo DiCaprio was in line to play the legendary singer, with Jennifer Lawrence playing Sinatra’s second wife, Ava Gardner.
According to the report, “Artisans and other key stakeholders who had signed on to the Sinatra project were notified in mid-August that the November start date had been canceled, with no rescheduled date.”
It is unknown if Scorsese gained approval from the Sinatra estate, run by his daughter Tina. Gaining the family’s blessing could be what’s holding up the film.
No major studio is attached to Scorsese’s Sinatra biopic. However, Apple and Sony have been linked to the project.
Scorsese’s last feature film, Killers of the Flower Moon, was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture.
(Source: Variety)
