Martin Scorsese Considering Making Frank Sinatra Biopic Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

The legendary film director Martin Scorsese is reportedly considering making a biopic about Frank Sinatra that would star Leonardo DiCaprio as the iconic singer.

Scorsese Wants To Direct Sinatra Biopic

Variety reported that Scorsese is trying to put an A-list cast together for this movie that includes DiCaprio playing Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence portraying the singer’s ex-wife Ava Gardner. Sony is the studio that is allegedly the current frontrunner to get this movie, which Scorsese reportedly tried and failed to get off the ground a few years ago.

While promoting his movie Silence back in 2016, Scorsese told The Toronto Sun that he had been trying to make a biopic about Sinatra for years, but had to scrap it due to tensions between him and the late singer’s estate.

“We can’t do it!” Scorsese said at the time. “I think it is finally over. They (remaining members of the Sinatra clan) won’t agree to it. Open it up again and I’m there!”

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Scorsese Doubles Down

Scorsese went on to explain that the main issue with the Sinatra family was the portrayal of the darker sides of the late singer’s life.

“Certain things are very difficult for a family, and I totally understand,” Scorsese said. “But, if they expect me to be doing it, they can’t hold back certain things. The problem is that the man was so complex. Everybody is so complex — but Sinatra in particular.”

When asked about his “staggering” Sinatra project back in 2012, Scorsese replied,  “we’re taking our time with it” and “working with the family,” according to Fox News.

When asked at the time if he had any actors in mind to play Sinatra, the director responded,  “Not yet, not yet. How could you? I mean, it’s Frank.”

Related: Flashback: John Wayne Honored By Kirk Douglas And Frank Sinatra Days Before His Death

Sinatra’s Daughter Speaks Out

Sinatra’s estate is run by his daughter Tina, who has yet to give her blessing publicly to any biopic about her father. Gardner is known to have broken up the marriage of Sinatra and Tina’s mother Nancy Barbato, so if Scorsese wants to portray that aspect of Sinatra’s life, he may run into some problems with the singer’s estate once again.

“Marty and I have been dance partners for a long time and not once has he stepped on my toes,” Tina recently told TMZ. “Always here for Marty.”

When asked to clarify if she was giving her blessing to the biopic, however, Tina declined to answer.

Sinatra was married to Gardner from 1951 until they divorced in 1957. She died in 1990 at the age of 67, and he passed away in 1995 at the age of 82.

Scorsese has directed DiCaprio in six movies: Gangs Of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), The Departed (2006), Shutter Island (2010), The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013), and Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023). Lawrence has never starred in a Scorsese movie, but she has been nominated for four Oscars, winning one for her work in the 2012 movie Silver Linings Playbook.

Sinatra is one of the most legendary stars of all time, and if anyone can direct a biopic about him, it’s Scorsese. Here’s hoping that this biopic comes to fruition, because we would definitely love to see it!