Well, it looks like Martin Scorsese's passion project "Silence" — long expected to be his next film — will have to keep waiting. Another film, which has been in the works for a while, is now on track to shoot later this year.
Deadline reports that Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio will team up for movie number five, "The Wolf Of Wall Street." The project first surfaced in 2007, with Scorsese at the helm and "Boardwalk Empire" and “The Sopranos” scribe Terence Winter penning the script, with DiCaprio in the leading role. But a studio tug-of-war for the project between Warner Bros. and Paramount eventually stalled things, until the fall of 2009 when it was revealed Ridley Scott was circling the director’s chair. Then, about a year ago, it was reported that the project was back in the hands of Scorsese who was eyeing it for this next movie after "Hugo Cabret." Indeed, the helmer is now moving forward with the film.
Red Granite Pictures picked up the rights last spring, and it's a pretty cracker jack tale. Based on the memoir by Jordan Belfort and his experiences on the job in the '80s and '90s, "The Wolf of Wall Street" centers on a drug/sex/alcohol addicted New York stockbroker who refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, the corporate banking world and mob infiltration. So yeah, that undoubtedly resonates in today's current economic climate. It should also be noted that Michael Fassbender told the Hollywood Reporter back in January that he had to been talking to Scorsese about a possible film. Was it "The Wolf Of Wall Street"? Maybe a different version of "Silence"? For now, Fassy's calendar is pretty full, making his participation in this project (if that's what it is) a tight squeeze, but we'll see.
Anyway, no distributor is yet on board, but the rights to 'The Wolf' will likely be up for grabs at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The film will shoot in August. No word on what happened with "Silence," but we presume it's on the backburner for now. That picture, a drama centering on 17th century Jesuit priests, is likely much, much harder to finance and maybe scheduling was a concern for proposed stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Benicio Del Toro and Gael Garcia Bernal (though who knows if they are still attached at this point). But as far as runner-up prizes go, we're not complaining.
Watch Belfort explain his misdeeds below on CNBCs "Originals" program:
Haven't we seen this already before in Wallstreet? Same old story different decade: stock brokers are still doing coke, girls, breaking the law and getting rich. Nothing new to add. I think making Silence would be a smarter move.
Cackling @ this. Keep trying for that Oscar, Leo, keep trying.
Belfort is such a tool. He mentioned how Blake friggin' Lively was in the running for a supporting role in this film at a point (I think the role of his wife/girlfriend/mistress?). WTF. Could you imagine Scorsese and Lively working in a film together? No, stranger things haven't happened.
As much as I love Scorsese and DiCaprio collaborations (say what you will but Shutter Island is one of Scorsese's best recent efforts- tops Hugo- and a career best performance by DiCaprio), I am anxiously waiting for DiCaprio to begin work on "The Devil in the White City." Does this man not realize what a great project that would be? "Wolf" sounds like a typical DiCaprio film.
This sounds like a cracking film from Scorcese – plus it's revelant in today's world. I'm all for it. Something i'd definetely watch especially if is uses the same tagline as that book, 'I partied like a rock star and lived like a king. But must it be another Scorcese/DiCaprio joint?
Another Scorcese x DiCaprio Joint?
Michael Fassbender mentioned in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter that he was in talks with Scorsese about a project he couldn't disclose. Ten bucks says it's a supporting role in this.
Silence isn't getting made. It's sad to read this. Silence was going to be a masterpiece. I can't understand why a film that would take less than $30 million dollars to get made can't get off the group. Scorsese dropped this project like a year ago, now he's back on… I doubt he even gives two shits about this film. I figured if Silence wasn't gonna get done he could of at least did The Irishman.
Well shit. I was looking forward to the Silence and it keeps getting pushed back and I keep getting more and more frustrated. It all seems like a dream now that will never happen. This Wolf on Wall Street sounds promising though with Leo in another baity Oscar role, at least it's not the Sinatra biopic.