Music

Al Pacino To Play Old Blueyes, Says Scorsese

by Ciaran Thompson

Martin Scorsese’s impressive catalog of movies about musicians seems to be growing each week. Last we heard was a George Harrison documentary directed by Scorsese and now details of a Frank Sinatra biopic are starting to emerge, with actor Al Pacino set to be in the starring role.

A little while ago it was suggested that Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney and Johnny Depp were the forerunners to play the Rat Pack star. However recently speaking with Indian newspaper The Hindu, Scorsese suggested his choice of actors for the film. “I’ve had it in mind for a long time,” he said. “Even the initial script is ready. I’ve yet to spot the actor who can bring back Frank Sinatra alive on screen. My Choice is Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro as Dean Martin.”

As opposed to sticking with the best years of the legendary singer’s life, Scorsese says he’d rather focus on several different periods. “The other way to go is to have three or four different Sinatras,” he said in an interview with ShortList. “Younger. Older. Middle-aged. Very old. You cut back and forth in time – and you do it through the music. See what I’m saying? So that’s what we’re trying for. It’s very tricky”

Sinatra’s music rights are currently held by his daughter, Tina Sinatra who has said she would like to see Clooney play the role of her father in a softer film that doesn’t highlight the dark times. [NME]