Martin Scorsese will take on Shusaku Endo’s Silence as his next project

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

I thought Martin Scorsese was doing Jo Nesbo’s THE SNOWMAN next. Or was it THE IRISHMAN with Robert De Niro? Oh wait, it’s none of those.

Scorsese has confirmed that his next project will be an adaptation of Shusaku Endo‘s novel Silence. The story is about the experience of Jesuit missionaries in 17th Century Japan, who must contend with traders from rival European nations and the persecution of Christians by Japanese feudal lords while in the country. I have not read the book myself, but know that Scorsese is really passionate about doing the adaptation.

This is what he had to say about it on Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode’s Radio Five show, “I’m hoping to do Endo’s book next, Silence… Not hoping, we’re literally pulling all the elements together at this point. Also excited to do another HBO series on the Rock and Roll business in the 60s, 70s up to the 90s and that’s with Mick Jagger and Terry Winter.”

Really excited about that HBO series, but back to the subject at hand. Early on in the project’s development, Scorsese had Daniel Day Lewis and Benicio Del Toro attached. When asked about Lewis, Scorsese replied, “I’m not sure. Daniel’s working with Steve right now, Steve Spielberg.”

Also interesting to note, that the director praised two films that he recently saw: FISHTANK (with Michael Fassbender) and ARCHIPELAGO (with Tom Hiddleston). I’d like to see either of those guys in Scorsese film.