Nobody puts Marty in the corner!
Martin Scorsese has achieved a level in Hollywood where he does not need to abide by such foolish things such as contracts. When Marty wants to make a movie, he makes that f**king movie. But, if you are Italian film company Cecchi Gori, you sue Marty in court if he doesn’t make your movie.
Scorsese has dozens of movies linked to him as being his “next project” and the one we have been hearing about most often is SILENCE, based on the Japanese novel about Portuguese missionaries in 16th century Japan. I have read the novel and it feels like it would be closer in tone and spirit with KUNDUN than any other of the director’s films. It is a very existential film and likely difficult to put on a big screen. I am not surprised that he decided to go with the decidedly more straighforward drama THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, which has the added benefit of Leonardo DiCaprio as the star.
Cecchi Gori claims that Scorsese has been working with them since the 1980s to get SILENCE filmed and that they have spent more than $700,000 on developing the project. They also claim an agreement with Scorsese was made that ensured the film would begin production by the end of 2012.
Cecchi Gori executive Niels Juul had this to say: “It came as a surprise to us that ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ was next on the agenda. We have asked for clarification for a while and haven’t gotten a response. Sadly it seems that in Hollywood you can’t get a response until you file a lawsuit.”
Scorsese’s representatives issued this statement in regards to the allegations: “It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures.The claims asserted are completely contradicted by, inconsistent with, and contrary to the express terms of an agreement entered into by the parties last year.
The lawsuit filing on the eve of Mr. Scorsese starting another picture has all the earmarks of a media stunt.
Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action.”
This does not bode well for SILENCE ever being made, let alone by Scorsese. The financial issues Cecchi Gori is currently dealing with left SILENCE as one of their final hopes. With that appearing to be down the toilet, who knows if Scorsese will try to get the rights to the novel in some other manner. For now, we will have to wait and see if this ever reaches the courts.
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