Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in Scorsese’s Sinatra Biopic?
Last week it was announced that Martin Scorsese will be directing a Frank Sinatra biopic, confirming rumours that first cropped up sometime last year. The project has been in limbo for a while now due to “complicated rights issues”, but it appears that they have finally been resolved. The script, which was written by Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams, Rhinestone), is being compared to Todd Haynes’s 2007 Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There due to its lack of a “traditional, linear storytelling approach”.
While I’m sure most Sinatra fans will be more than happy with the choice of Scorsese as a director, the bigger question here is, who should play Ol’ Blue Eyes? Rumours have already begun to surface, with Nikke Finke over at Deadline Hollywood Daily claiming that the studio wants Johnny Depp for the lead role. However, another source is now reporting that Scorsese wants to turn it over to his current go-to guy Leonardo DiCaprio instead. According to The Sun, DiCaprio has even hired a vocal coach to help him learn to sing like Sinatra. While I do like DiCaprio, I have to admit this is one gig he may not be cut out for. What do you think, has Scorsese become too reliant on Leonardo DiCaprio in recent years? Who would you like to see as Sinatra?
Comments (29)
I don’t think Leonardo’s the right person to play sinatra. I mean, Leo’s a great actor and his transformative abilities are formidable, but he has a certain niche as actor and that niche is deep, emotionally troubled, but brillant men who ultimately redeem themselves in one way or another, or die. Frank Sinatra I hear was a very simple man who didn’t have have too much going on below the surface. That may be overgeneralizing a bit, but its clear the mold sinatra filled out would not fit leonardo at all.
Posted by brandi on May 20th, 2009i still say matt damon
Posted by blackmothra on May 20th, 2009.. like good will hunting matt damon
Posted by blackmothra on May 20th, 2009Patrick Jude (“Ruby”,”Sugartime”) should be up for consideration. He has played Sinatra in the past and definitely has the voice for it.
Posted by LMC on May 20th, 2009Piss off Scorlazy or get a new casting director! DiCaprio as Sinatra? You are obviously letting your hard-on for your new pretty boy blinker you! Have you ever seen Sinatra? Jesus wept.
Posted by TheAllKnowingGod on May 20th, 2009Johnny Depp would be the perfect choice. He can play any part!
Posted by holly on May 20th, 2009I have trouble picturing anyone playing Frank but then again it’s pretty hard to do Sinatra just right. He doesn’t have the obvious physical and vocal characteristics like an Elvis to copy. Plus he’d be doing Sinatra probably from his 20’s to probably his 70’s if they end it during his big duet album and tour.
Posted by Maopheus on May 20th, 2009I don’t usually care about the looks side of things but with Sinatra it’s unavoidable … the actor has GOT to have blue eyes. I don’t see Johnny Depp as right for the role anyway but physically he just makes NO sense.. SInatra is not Bob DYlan.. he’s not that kind of fluid, evolving personality that merits an impressionistic portrayal by actor(s) who look nothing like him..
DiCaprio doesn’t strike me as the perfect choice but then again he surprised me in the aviator and rev road in being able to portray very distinctive characters, very different to what he’d done before… maybe he would be capable of doing the role. However, I don’t think Scorsese should just turn to him because he can’t be bothered to consider the alternatives…
But it wouldn’t be a disaster if dicaprio was cast.. Depp however would be ridiculous.
Posted by rebecca on May 21st, 2009i think that leo as frank would be perfect. leo can do anything and so can johnny, but leo and scorsese have worked together many times. and many academy awards have come out of the pairing.
Posted by nosidma on May 21st, 2009Depp
Posted by Issawi on May 21st, 2009Leo is a good actor, but Johnny would do better as Frank. Just slap some good quality blue contacts and he’s ready to go!
Posted by ndm on May 22nd, 2009Brandi,
Sinatra seemed simple, but if you read between the lines of his music, you’d hear a tormented soul. If you’d know his life, his women, his associations, and that temper of his….you’d know he was anything but simple. I believe DiCaprio can bring out Sinatra’s demons, but as far as looks and singing talent…maybe Ewan Mcgregor – the Carmelengo from angels and demons…hell, even Hugh Jackman can pull it off.
Posted by Josh on May 24th, 2009Why hasn’t a single person mentioned Harry Connick Jr.? This is a guy with the right look, the balanced charisma and coolness, the sort of personality who represents in the modern day what Sinatra did in his heyday, just not at as high a level of prominence since that genre is unfortunately dead. If I’m not mistaken, I think he even has the ‘blue eyes.’ Whether he does or doesn’t is not the case since that can easily be taken care of by the makeup department. Bottom line is ‘Sinatra’ is the role Connick was born to play, especially when you factor in that fabulous voice of his. It could also be the role that finally puts him back on the map. Do the right thing Marty!
Posted by Rock Hogan on May 24th, 2009First, the actor who plays Sinatra CAN NOT do his voice: MS will need to synch recordings for this, as was done in SWEET DREAMS etc. Second, there are two actors who could work for the role and only two: DiCaprio and Connick Jr. (IF he doesn’t try to sing!). Weirdly, I’m for Connick Jr.. He is not around on screen 24-7 like most actors, and with a workout from Marty’s people, he could be up to the task (remember that Liotta was not a prime actor B4 (or after!) GOODFELLAS.
Posted by fredelle on May 27th, 2009Ewan McGregor is the best choice! Harry Connick Jr. is a close second. I love DiCaprio and Depp in all their films; they are maybe two of the most talented actors of their generation today… but neither is very well suited to play Sinatra. Since I highly doubt that they will use synched recordings (as is the trend… Coal Miner’s Daughter, Ray, Walk the Line), the part needs to be cast based on vocal ability as well as acting ability. No one can expect to take a few months of vocal lessons and pass themselves off as Sinatra! It wouldn’t matter even if they had Sinatra himself to tutor them. If Scorsese or the studios want to really wow the public instead of just going through the motions of making a film, they need to be more creative with their casting instead of just the good old standbys. Cast a singer!
Posted by libby on May 30th, 2009Harry Connick Jr is the obvious choice… who’d be cast as the rest of the rat pack?
Posted by Dial F for Frankenstein on May 31st, 2009I think Leo could definently pull it off…I think Harry Connick Jr. could do the singing for sure, but his facial features are too different than ol’ Blue Eyes…
Posted by sylvir333 on June 5th, 2009I say give this one to Leo!!! He would put his heart and soul into it..and do a mighty fine job..
I don’t understand how anyone can consider Frank Sinatra to be a “simple man” he was not. He was a very complex individual. Very complex. And Leowould be the only right choice to play Sintra since he himself is very complex. Sinatra DID have a lot going on beneath the surface and his presence was overwhelming. A man with an overbearing personality is in fact a very complicated person. Whoever says others does not understand Frank Sinatra. Harry Connick is out. He’s absolutely no good for this part. He’s a wannabe crooner, and in reality there isn’t really a man on this planet that could pull off a Frankie. NO ONE! But Leo I must say is the closest thing and has is more than well equipped with everything that he needs. Leonardo has this part just as long as Marty would stop lingering over actors and give him the goddamn part already.
Posted by TheeDirecktor on June 11th, 2009I think Johnny Depp and Leo DiCaprio would do a great job. but I’d prefer a nobody. Some one that isnt all well known. As for looks alone James franco or Ryan Phillipe. But they dont have the acting chops. I just hope they dont go with a color blind cast and hire jamie Fox. That would be tragic to me. But honestly I think so far Leo is the best choice, even though Depp id by far my favorite actor!
Posted by Raychel on June 12th, 2009Also maybe Justin Timberlake if he got acting lessons. I know people will hate me for even suggesting, but you never know what could happen.
Posted by Raychel on June 12th, 2009Jude Law
Posted by Joshua Earlenbaugh on June 14th, 2009Dominic West is an actor that was in the movie 300 and is a dead ringer for Frank Sinatra, if of course they are going for looks alone. But I think Leo has got the most capability of all the actors mentioned. But just to throw a name out there, James Franco can definitely pull off that devilish arched eyebrow that complimented Frank’s lovley face. Of course, they gonna need a handsome guy, an ugly guy just won’t do and by ugly guy, I mean Harry Connick. I mean what a shmooze. He aint no good for the part and I dont give a damn if he can sing or not. I think its also important to remember what Scorsese is going to with the picture. Rumor has it, or maybe it aint a rumor, actually I won’t be suprised if this is the road he chooses to take, but he is going to focus on the mafia connections that Frank supposedly had and just to put it out there, I think Frank def had some mafiosi buddies, no doubt, but I think it would just add to te stereo-types that everyone has of Italians and to put Frank in the spotlight once again with his gangster buddies will just add to that. I think it would be wrong also for the fact that this man was the greatest entertainer of the 20th century and basically still carries the title to the next century. People still want to be like him and are still fascinated by him, a fact that Frank is still alive! How about this: let’s ask Frank and see what he says! Also, I think Scorsese should focus on Frank’s coming-up, what he went through, his family, all of his illustrious affairs, and of course, don’t forget his angel, Ava Gardner. I really hope Scorsese don’t blow this by going back to his mob roots, I meant loved GoodFellas, Casino and The Departed, but Jesus! Take a break Marty and do Sinatra some justice. Frank fought rumors that he wasn’t involved with the mafia (that was a flat out lie!) but even so, Frank was a singer, a crooner, an entertainer. I’m actually more worried about who is going to play my pally Dino! All in all, Leo is a terrific choice, he’s got the drive and the range. He better get this part!
Posted by AnonymicalAnalysis on June 15th, 2009I agree with Raychel as well, I think Justin Timberlake would be a good choice since he is young, fresh and would no doubt introduce an entire new generation to Frank Sinatra. That would be great. Plus, let’s face it, the guy could blow! No pun intended
He would just have to go deeper but I think he would be good nonetheless. But overall, my money is still on Leo. He’s my main man.
Posted by AnonymicalAnalysis on June 15th, 2009Ryan Phillipe is actually is hug fan of Sinatra and even named his dog after him so what does that tell you? Leo will just have to lose weight though. He has it.
Posted by AnonymicalAnalysis on June 15th, 2009why not me,as sinatra,its what i do in new zealand,leonardo and depp are great actors,but have never honestly hit rock bottom as sinatra did,they could never sing like him,as singing the emotional songs can,t be faked ,so whats the point of them even trying,GIVE ME A CHANCE,AND I WOULD MAKE HIM LIVE AGAIN.
OH HOW I WOULD LOVE TO !
EAMONN CANN
Posted by Eamonn cann on July 8th, 2009Has anyone considered Michael Pitt, who looks enough like Frank , and is also co-starring in Scorsese’s new HBO series “Boardwalk Empire”? He seems to be a decent actor, and looks-wise I think he could pull it off…Ultimately I think Leonardo DiCaprio would do great in it though…
Posted by theESENSofTIME on September 2nd, 2009WOULDN’T IT BE SOMETHING IF MR.MARTIN SCORSESE COULD FIND SOMEONE THAT IS NOT IN SHOW BUSINESS BUT HAS A GIFT THAT CAME FROM THE ALMIGHTY HIMSELF.A STRONG TENOR
Posted by JOE SCALISEI on January 25th, 2010BARITONE VOICE THAT JUST HAPPENS TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE MR.FRANK IS STILL HERE,AN ITALIAN, BLUE EYED MAN WHO COULD TAKE THIS PART AND JUST ” NAIL IT “.HIS NAME IS
” JOE SCALISI ” AND HE LIVES HERE IN HOUSTON TEXAS AND IF THE RIGHT PERSON READ’S THIS,WELL IT WOULD BE LIKE APPALO CREED FINDING ROCKY BALBOA. ” RING-A-DING-DING-RINGA-DING-DING,!!!!!!!
—Is Scorsese vying with Clint Eastwood (Hoover bio-pic) for the ‘Stalest work of American cultural incest’
award?
-Guess artists shouldn’t be rich afterall…
Posted by eber hart on May 27th, 2010Who the hell are they going to pick already! I’ve been following this goddamn project for a year and still no cast. Although at one point, they were considering Clive Owen for Peter Lawford, so I think they’re on the right track. Adam Sandler was also mentioned to play Joey Bishop but I’m sure it was only because he’s a Jewish comedian not because he could actually pull a Joey Bishop. And I hope they don’t put him in the same boat with Ol’ Blue Eyes, I’m talking about Leo DiCaprio.
Read a lot of comments on here, most I disagree with and only agree with those that agree with me. I think DiCaprio has the part in his bag, maybe they’re just building suspense. Maybe Marty is preparing Leo for his biggest role yet. Maybe all the movies they’ve made thus far was just practice.
Posted by Shutter Balls Island on November 30th, 2010Leave a Reply