The massive critical success of Killers of the Flower Moon led Martin Scorsese to want to adapt another David Grann book, The Wager, starring his pal Leonardo DiCaprio. But Scorsese might’ve rethought those plans, as Variety reports that one of his passion projects, a Frank Sinatra biopic, is still in the mix and has just added an Oscar-winning star.
DiCaprio has long been attached to play Sinatra, the legendary, soulful crooner and actor. Now it looks that if and when the movie happens he’ll be joined by Jennifer Lawrence as Sinatra’s second wife, actress Ava Gardner. It hasn’t been long since Lawrence and DiCaprio last worked together on the Adam McKay comedy, Don’t Look Up.
So what’s the hold up? Can’t Scorsese get any movie made that he wants? Well, not so much. The Sinatra estate, and thus the movie rights, are controlled by Sinatra’s daughter, Tina, and she’s standing in the way. It seems that part of the reason is that Ava Gardner broke up the marriage betwee Sinatra and Tina’s mother, Nancy Barbato.
Understandably, studios are ready to back up the money truck for this movie. Apple, who co-financed the $215M Killer of the Flower Moon, wants to stay in the Scorsese business. But the report states that Sony is the actual frontrunner at this time. Not surprising is Netflix’s apparent lack of interest.
Coming up for Scorsese is teaming up with Steven Spielberg to exec-produce a Cape Fear television series for Apple TV+.
