I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s baffled that a movie about the life of legendary Rat Pack singer Frank Sinatra hasn’t been made as of yet. Oh, I’m sure there’s been some TV movies (as well as a few stage plays), but I’m talking about a properly done, theatrically released biopic.
Well, the one and only Martin Scorsese is now set to make a movie on the life of the singer, simply titled Sinatra. Universal Pictures has acquired the rights (previously owned by Mandalay Pictures) to the project, as well as the permission of the Sinatra family (which, apparently, isn’t an easy thing to get), to not only make the project but use the actual music (including the voice) of the man himself within it, too.
|
|
Scorsese will be producing the movie as well as directing, Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams) will write the screenplay, and Sinatra’s daughter Tina will be acting as executive producer. I guess a controversial, risque view of the titular figure won’t be in the cards, then…. Other producers include Peter Gruber, Cathy Schulman and former Warner Bros. music division head Garry LeMel.
“This has been a passion project for Peter Guber for a long time, and first he got together with the Sinatra Estate, and then with Scorsese who’s also a huge Sinatra fan.”
Even if Sinatra’s daughter, Tina, doesn’t allow the display of some of the more controversial parts of Sinatra’s life (such as his alleged links to organized crime), the film is still sure to be pretty truthful as she has said that she would “trust Scorsese implicitly [to] present the truth about her father.”
At first there were no concrete names floating around for who would play one of music’s most iconic figures, but shortly after the initial news broke, there was another piece stating that a couple of actors were already being looked at. Who are they? Well, not the most original of roots to go down as far as acting choices go, but they are amazing choices nonetheless: Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio’s name is being thrown around just as more of possibility than anything else, simply because he is a firm favorite of Scorsese, having worked with him four times already (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed and the upcoming Shutter Island). I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes officially in the running for the role sometime in the near future.
However, Universal is reportedly holding Depp as there first choice for the role (word is they are really impressed with his performance in the upcoming Public Enemies). Since whoever plays him won’t be singing themselves as Sinatra within the movie (but rather, as was stated, the studio have the permission to use the actual music and voice of the real Sinatra), so the question of, “Can Depp sing like Sinatra, if at all?” doesn’t come into it.
Deadline Hollywood points out something obvious yet completely surprising: Depp and Scorsese have never worked together before. Is that even possible? Two of modern cinema’s greatest talents have yet to team-up? I don’t see why they aren’t shooting this thing already!
As I said in the opening of this post, I can’t believe a proper movie about the life of such a legendary music figure like Sinatra hasn’t been made yet. Then again, if the wait meant we get one done by Scorsese with either Depp or DiCaprio filling Sinatra’s shoes, then it just may have been worth it.
Are you glad they are finally making a Sinatra biopic? Who would you like to see play him: Depp, DiCaprio or someone else entirely?
Source: Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood
Loading ...
11 Comments
I think Leonardo DiCRAPio looks more like Sinatra in his younger days. And, I have to admit, Leonardo has shown he has real acting ability. I would doubt there is anyone who would say Johnny Depp can’t act.
Philip Casnoff was a splendid convincing Sinatra in the 1992
motion picture for television ‘Sinatra’ which won the Golden Globe.
Tina Sinatra was a producer there as well as Frank’s voice being used.
Tina thought it was the last word at the time and it really was quite good.
DiCaprio could handle this but Depp would be inspired casting.
I expect a knockout performance from Johnny in Public Enemies.
I really like Depp as an actor, I think he is gifted BUT how many films can he be in? Leo, I know he is Martin’s new go-to guy and like what Mr. Kahless has said he has the looks of a younger days.
i always say Leo as some pansy-sissy boi but after Scorsesse got his hands on him, Leo’s become one of my new favs.
however, to play ole blue eyes, why not pick an actor from Broadway? A stage actor. One of the guys who did Jersey Boys for example. They can act and sing.
I really don’t want to see either actor get the role. Yes both are alright actors but I am really tired of seeing them both in movies. I won’t even pay to go see them anymore. They basically act the same in every one of them and Leo looks the same in all of his, at least Depp changes his appearance sometimes. They are both acting in every movie they can get right now to get an Oscar, but you can be in just too many movies. It’s called overkill. Every movie out there has Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp or Leonardo Dicaprio in it. There are other actors more talented than these three guys and also better looking. They should find someone that looks more like Sinatra who can also act and sing. Lip syncing looks so fake in films, they really should get a good singer.
I think that Billy Crudup would make a better sinatra choice.
Look at the his facial structure. This is one actor who should have big star status. Check out the movie “Stage Beauty” But please if it is a choice between Johnny Depp and Leonardo – give me Depp.
Johnny Depp is such a versitile actor that I think he could handle almost any role thrown at him. As far as him being in too many movies, his last major film was Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2007. Now while he does have many projects in the works right now, I think Depp would be a solid choice to play Sinatra. He is charasmatic and can handle anything.
I am so sick of Depp. NOt only do I think he is a mediocre actor at best I think he is the most over rated and over used person in hollywood and it makes me sick that he keeps ruining things that I love. Sinatra is a god among men and I think it’s a travesty that Depp would be cast as him it’s a terrible choice and not just because I don’t like Depp, but because he truly is nothing like Sinatra. So now not only has he ruined a classic film like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory he also ruined my all time favorite musical with Sweeney Todd. So he has decided he hasn’t finished and is now stepping in to the shows of one of the singles greatest icons in the history of not only music, but the world. Thanks for nothing Depp.
whether it’s johnny or leo, I think we can expect great performances by both, especially with scorsese behind the camera. I may be only 17 but Frank Sinatra has always had a influence on me musically. I have his greatest hits collection and it’s phenominal, you just don’t hear music like that anymore. Hope they do him right in this movie.
What's your opinion? Leave a Reply!
Go to Gravatar.com and upload your own (we'll wait)!