Scorsese to Make ‘Sinatra,’ Depp to Star?

Published by Jeff Leins on: May 14th, 2009

Martin Scorsese is set to direct his fifth biopic, this time detailing the life and career of legendary recording artist and actor Frank Sinatra.  It will be the first film on “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” who died 11 years ago today.

Universal acquired the Sinatra script written by Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams) after years of negotiations between Frank Sinatra Enterprises (his estate) and Warner Music Group.  The joint venture will allow the Oscar-winning filmmaker to include Sinatra’s songs in the film rather than having an actor attempt to imitate the iconic voice.

However, the producers and Robinson have put together an unconventional script that won’t tell his story linearly.  Instead it will be a “collage” of sorts showing key moments in phases.  It sounds a lot like the Bob Dylan film I’m Not There.  Ultimately Scorsese has final cut on the film, so it should be interesting to see if Marty gives glimpses of love affairs or Mafia ties.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Scorsese has been working on a Dean Martin project called Dino for some time, but the script was dormant until now.  Ideally he’ll be able to work in some of the Dino details into the Rat Pack portion of Sinatra’s life.

Since Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in Scorsese’s last four feature films, everyone seems to be immediately turning to him and saying, “Your move, kid.”  But according to Finke, Universal has their eyes on Johnny Depp for the part.  The studio is happy with his work in the upcoming summer movie Public Enemies (about John Dillinger) and wants to secure him for the part.  Scorsese and Depp have never worked together.