Martin Scorsese To Direct Frank Sinatra Movie; Johnny Depp Or Leonardo DiCaprio As Ol’ Blue Eyes?


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Martin Scorsese To Direct Frank Sinatra Movie; Johnny Depp Or Leonardo DiCaprio As Ol’ Blue Eyes?

Posted by The Movie God | May 14th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

This is one of those news stories that can give you goosebumps. One of the greatest directors ever to live, to direct a movie about one of the greatest entertainers to ever walk the earth. Take that one in.

Nikki Finke has reported that Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to make the movie based on the life of Frank Sinatra with Martin Scorsese attached to direct. Universal obtained the rights from Mandalay Pictures with Phil Alden Robinson (writer/director of Field of Dreams, Sneakers) penning the script. The project was announced after the family of the icon known as Ol’ Blue Eyes — who passed away on this date eleven years ago — gave them permission. Within that permission, Frank’s daughter Tina Sinatra will also act as an executive producer.

A day after the news, with everyone wondering who could possibly fill the god-like shoes of Sinatra, Nikki Finke is hearing that the studio very much wants Johnny Depp to take on the role. Word is, Scorsese has always had his go-to-guy Leonardo DiCaprio in mind for the part, but because of Depp’s performance in Public Enemies, Universal is all about hanging on to him tightly.

I guess that adding one of the best working actors today to the mix would make plenty of sense. I know for sure that I’d rather it was someone other than DiCaprio, but I’m not 100% sure I’m sold on Depp either — though I do think he would be perfectly acceptable if cast. One of the main concerns people have had is ensuring the actor can sing as well as act, but apparently the vocal work will be done by Frank himself using tracks from Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Warner Music Group, so that is of no concern.

Who would you like to see play Frank Sinatra?

Topics: Movies, Music, News, Rumors, Television, Theater | 31 Comments »

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http://www.thewastedspace.blogspot.com TechGOnzo

Nah, I vote Christopher Walken or Sam Jackson.
Juney

Either Depp or Leo, Frank was short so…I would go for Depp. Oh, whose being cast as Judy Garland? They had a fling way back then :)
ellen

I think Leo Di Caprio is just a pin-up guy, and he acts pretty bad. I guess Johnny Depp is one of the best actors of our time and if Universal Studios and Martin pick up Johnny, they won´t be regret. Because everything that Johnny does, he does it really, really well…
http://www.myspace.com/simon711 Ryan Simon

I have always thought that Anthony Hopkins would play a fabulous Frank in his later years. Watch “Meet Joe Black” and catch the parts where Hopkins is wearing a tux, need I say more.
greerwich

Isn’t everyone getting kinda sick and tired of the same old faces in the same old movies? I hear this is going to be an unconventional retelling of Sinatra’s storey, so why not go with an unknown? I watch a show called Supernatural, and that actor who plays Dean Winchester, Jensen Ackles, could easily do it. He’s perfect with that tough-guy with a heart of gold persona he pulls off as easily as breathing. Plus, I hear he can actually sing! Does Di Caprio sing? Doubters. And while I’m a huge fan of the Deppster, why not surprise us? I love surprises when I go to see a movie.
Naneaux

Leo? You must be joking. Given the choice between those two, I’d rather see Depp, a far superior actor and much sexier than DiCaprio could ever be. (Okay, so Leo actually HAS blue eyes but there are LOTS of blue-eyed actors around, right? The magic of contact lenses…) But I wish the studios and the old hands (like Marty) would open up their imaginations a little more. Here’s another 20th-century musician’s bio-pic. Yawn. They wonder why the public is jaded and box office is down? It’s because Hollywood studio movies are so predictable and audiences want two hours of something interesting in exchange for their $12 tickets, or else we can just stay home. WAKE UP, HOLLYWOOD!
Frankie Mayonaisse

How about no one! Why do people still worship this guy? He was a so-so talent and an arrogant jerk who had more than his deserved share of success. Now he’s gone- let’s all please move on. That goes for Dean Martin and all that other Rat Pack nonsense too.

And as for “Leo” (what, do you guys know him personally or something?) he is every bit as overrated as SInatra. It’s hard to take him remotely seriously, especially with his cheesy facial hair and girly features.

Between his inexplicable DiCaprio and Rolling Stones worship, I am less and less inclined to watch any of “Marty’s” (again, what’s with this familiarity?) movies anymore.

Why do people keep building monuments to mediocrity?
Phillydan

Anton Yelchin should be cast in the role of Sinatra – He looks like the young Sinatra with his facial features, curly hair and blue eyes. The question about him would be does he have the acting chops and the aging process. But if Depp or Leo you have that same issue.
vlarsony

DiCaprio is the best actor of our time. Anyone who knows anything at all about acting should recognize this and show the guy some respect. I personally don’t think he should play Sinatra however. Surely he has better, more challenging projects to consider than a biopic of an overrated singer like Sinatra.
lil bit

hey you baboons
can leo sing? i dont think he is going to be much of a song bird. Johnny depp has a nice voice but his face is a little too fat. maybe that vampire from Twighlight would be good, he has an album out…it’s nice. okay. ttyl
EILEEN BAKER

JOHNNY DEPP A MUST.
assisi saint

Right height (5’7″), blue eyes, definitely has acting chops–maybe too young at 30, but how about James McAvoy (see his photos in Atonement).
rivas

Leo all the way! he has chemistry with marty already and he has blue eyes. For those of you who think jonny depp is a better actor, your out of your mind! LEO is obviously one of the better actors of our generation for sure! JONNY DEPP SHOULD STICK TO TIM BURTON MOVIES, THATS WHAT HES BEST AT! him and marty are not a great fit and personaly i think that public enemies was mediocre at best! Leo all the way, no brainer…
micahmckee

I gave this a lot of thought. My pick is George Clooney. He’s in the top 5 male actors around, he’s extremely likable (like Sinatra), has starred in everything from thrillers to romantic comedies (like Sinatra), can be playful and serious (like Sinatra). You get my point. Clooney would be perfect. Not a lot of resemblance, no. But Scorsese is an auteur–he’s going to do what’s right for the picture and right for the role.
Oh, did I forget to mention that he PLAYED SINATRA’S ROLE IN OCEAN’S ELEVEN?
yes. yes i did.
mike

Leo Di Caprio is the right one. For those who think the opposite please watch Aviator, Body of Lies or The Departed… Awesome performances by Leo.
Babs

Come on people, Harry Connick, Jr. is they guy. He’s a musician, an actor, and even favors him. Nobody else could portray Sinatra like Harry.
Babs

Come on people, it’s Harry Connick, Jr. – singer, actor, and even favors him. To me, it’s the only choice. I love Depp but don’t think he can pull off Sinatra, and forget the boy DiCaprio.
Norah

Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect for the part! Martin Scorsese & Dicaprio are a perfect pair. I love Johnny Depp, he’s an amazing actor! However, he’s just not for the part. Depp is perfect for Tim Burton’s movies, but DiCaprio hands down wins this role. On top of everything Depp doesn’t even have blue eyes, nor does anything about him remind us of Frank Sinatra.
T J Pepe

How about Joe Piscopo!! He did a good Sinatra when he was on saturday night live. Eddie Murphy can be Sammy Davis!!
aj

Tom Anello a relatively unknown. He can sing which Leo and JD cant. he has the look of Sinatra , the hair, the hieght & the skinny.
Adam

I think Scosesse, Di’caprio and johnny depp are all incredible and undoubtibly up there with the greatest at what they do. saying that i cant see depp in this role, i’m sure with his talent he could pull it off but look wise i dont think it works, i think leo should definitley do it, especially because of the fact they are using sinatra’s own recordings so the actor doesnt have to be able to sing, leo has the look, the charm and the ability to do this…or anything, for the role of dean martin id have to say…the guy from mad men???
royce

Preston Lee – an incredible vocal talent in Dallas with a perfect crooner’s voice and range, can pull this off. The guy playing this MUST have a great voice and Preston Lee has it.
Kevin

DiCaprio or Depp. Nope! Highly Unlikely. Both good actors, BUT NOT Great actors. A role as Sinatra needs GREAT. Like a Pacino or Deniro. If it had to be between Depp and Dicaprio, would have to go with Depp. I was never convinced with dicaprio as Howard Hughes in Aviator but Depp was impressive as Ed Woods.
megan

Leo. If there is a god..
http://? Phil

This is directed to the few idiots who claim that Sinatra was over-rated. The truth is that he was the greatest American entertainer of the 20th Century (stage, screen, and music). I wonder if the “idiots” in question ever saw him perform live or saw him in movies such as “The Man with the Golden Arm,” and “The Manchurian Candidate!!!”
Lauren

Same actors all the time…. boring….. how bout switching it up and giving an unknown with lots of talent a chance….I have seen Tom Anello in lots of plays and short movies he would be perfect, check him out and see for yourself.
Nancydipietro

Probably be Lip Singing involved; I don’t think these actors sing !!! for Frank Sinatra from big band days up to Ava Gardner days and the 1950′s Johnny Deep. Sinatra Later Years, Leonardo DiCaprio . Don’t see why not, there was more than one actor, for the Bob Dylan Bio Movie .
Vaughnhalen66

no. no. no. love johnny & leo, but jude law is the man to play sinatra. he has the face and the tone in his speaking voice. if your not going to go with jude, then harry connick jr. is the next logical chioce for obvious reasons, but will it be a challenge for him since the whole genra is right up his alley anyway?
Vaughnhalen66

no. no. no. love johnny & leo, but jude law is the man to play sinatra. he has the face and the tone in his speaking voice. if your not going to go with jude, then harry connick jr. is the next logical chioce for obvious reasons, but will it be a challenge for him since the whole genra is right up his alley anyway?
Vaughnhalen66

Just checked him out. You do have a righteous point!
Vaughnhalen66

Just checked him out. You do have a righteous point!


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