Scorsese does Sinatra
May. 13, 2009
Everyone knows the face and music of Frank Sinatra, but (aside from THE RAT PACK) he's never had a proper biopic. Who better to bring the Chairman of the Board to the big screen than Martin Scorsese?
After much wrangling with the Ol' Blue Eyes estate, Ol' Eyebrows and Universal will make SINATRA. Scorsese's film will take a different narrative approach and use "collective scenes and moments that form the overall story as opposed to a conventional timeline" of the actor/crooner's colorful and occasionally controversial life.
The script is by Phil Alden Robinson (FIELD OF DREAMS, SNEAKERS), who has reportedly collected some 30,000 pages of research on Sinatra. The project joins the other dozen or so potential things Scorsese has been considering (including a movie about fellow Rat Packer Dean Martin).
| Extra Tidbit: | Does this mean Leo for Frank? |
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| Source: | THR |
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Well 10 years ago ...
Excerpt from IMDB:
Of the three films he's been trying to make since the mid-1970s, he has done two: The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Gangs of New York (2002). The third film, a biopic of Dean Martin called "Dino", has been on hiatus at Warner Brothers since the late 1990s. Scorsese has a very specific all A-list cast in mind, probably
Excerpt from IMDB:
Of the three films he's been trying to make since the mid-1970s, he has done two: The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Gangs of New York (2002). The third film, a biopic of Dean Martin called "Dino", has been on hiatus at Warner Brothers since the late 1990s. Scorsese has a very specific all A-list cast in mind, probably why it has yet to be produced. He wants Tom Hanks to star as Martin, Jim Carrey to play Jerry Lewis, John Travolta to play Frank Sinatra, Hugh Grant to play Peter Lawford, and Adam Sandler to play Joey Bishop.
Great Casting Idea!
NIce idea, but...
Could be...
The only guy I can think of for Dean Martin is Clooney.
The only guy I can think of for Dean Martin is Clooney.
Who'll Play DIno?
Dean Martin was a central figure in Sinatra's life. Don Rickles once said that while Sinatra was the "alpha male" in the Rat Pack, with Sammy and others eagerly following, Dino was like some cool tiger that hung with them when he pleased. Variously called the "King of Cool" and "the Clown Prince of Vegas", Martin helped "Old Blue Eyes" learn how to chill (and cautioned him on matters
Dean Martin was a central figure in Sinatra's life. Don Rickles once said that while Sinatra was the "alpha male" in the Rat Pack, with Sammy and others eagerly following, Dino was like some cool tiger that hung with them when he pleased. Variously called the "King of Cool" and "the Clown Prince of Vegas", Martin helped "Old Blue Eyes" learn how to chill (and cautioned him on matters mafia). An icon in his own right, I can't think of an actor today who could play his part, except maybe De Niro during the later years. But younger version... haven't got a clue.
Marilyn Monro is another iconic challenge. Working with Martin on a film at the time of her suicide, she figured deeply in Sinatra's relationship with John F. Kennedy. Who in the world can play her? I mean, really, who is out there that can come even close?
Scorcese is dealing with music and movie legends. His casting choices will be among the toughest of his career.
Leo might work as young Sinatra, but in later years -- the time of the legendary Vegas Rat Pack "summit" performances -- who has the charisma, presence and coolness to convey the "alpha Male" and "cool tiger" at their peak?
Unless he were to do a Raging Bull I can't see it being much better than Ray Liotta (I never saw "The Rat Pack").
Unless he were to do a Raging Bull I can't see it being much better than Ray Liotta (I never saw "The Rat Pack").
AWESOME!!!