Loading...
Hold Your Horses, Scorsese Fans: “The Life of Jesus” and Sinatra Biopic Postponed!
It looks like Martin Scorsese’s upcoming projects, “The Life of Jesus” and the untitled Frank Sinatra biopic, have hit a snag. According to Variety, both films, which were initially slated for back-to-back production this year, are now postponed indefinitely. This news is a blow to fans who were excited to see Scorsese’s interpretations of these iconic figures.
The postponement of “The Life of Jesus” leaves the role of Jesus himself in limbo. Rumors suggested Andrew Garfield was being considered, with Miles Teller also in the mix at some point. Based on the 1973 novel by Shūsaku Endō, the same author who wrote the book behind Scorsese’s 2016 film “Silence,” the film was reportedly still in development. Variety’s sources indicate that Scorsese’s ambition to shoot in Italy, Egypt, and Israel, along with his decision to finance the film independently, might be contributing to the delay. Independent financing, as seen with Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” can present significant challenges and potentially lead to extended delays.
The Sinatra biopic’s postponement is shrouded in more mystery. Variety reports that the film’s November start date was canceled in mid-August, with no new date in sight. Like “Megalopolis,” this project has been in development for years, with the initial announcement going back to 2009. Leonardo DiCaprio was rumored to be attached to play Sinatra, alongside Jennifer Lawrence as Ava Gardner. The delay may be due to a lack of approval from Sinatra’s estate, as the film reportedly focuses on a difficult period in his life. Interestingly, Scorsese had previously mentioned abandoning the project in 2017, demonstrating the long and winding road these projects can take.
These postponements raise questions about the future of these ambitious projects. Will they eventually see the light of day, or will they remain in development limbo? Only time will tell.
I'm Annelise, a film lover and pop culture obsessive sharing my thoughts on movies, fashion, and lifestyle on Instagram. Follow along for film reviews, book recommendations, and a healthy dose of geeking out over all things pop culture.
