The Oscar-winning director who's twice done biopics ('Raging Bull,' 'The Aviator') -- three if you count 'The Last Temptation of Christ' -- as well as a handful of music docs ('The Last Waltz,' 'Shine a Light'), has inked a deal to direct and produce 'Sinatra' for Universal Pictures, according to a report from Variety.
So who will Scorsese tap to play Ol' Blue Eyes? Producer Cathy Schulman says Leonardo DiCaprio is a candidate, which is no surprise given the actor has appeared in Scorsese's last three features, as well this fall's 'Shutter Island.' The message boards are already abuzz with suggestions. Who do you think should play Sinatra? Check out 10 picks we plucked from the boards and then cast your vote -- or offer up your write-in -- below. -- By Kevin Polowy
Leonardo DiCaprioMarty and Leo have become as inseparable as Martin and Lewis this century, collaborating on 'Gangs of New York,' 'The Aviator,' 'The Departed' and the upcoming 'Shutter Island.'
Robert Downey Jr.He's played Charlie Chaplin, Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes and "a dude playin' a dude, disguised as another dude," and also happens to be one of the hottest actors working in Hollywood today.
James FrancoThe 'Spider-Man' and 'Pineapple Express' star burst onto the scene with his spot-on impression of 'James Dean' in 2001, so he's got the whole "capturing the essence of an icon" thing down.
Harry Connick Jr.Many will argue the singer-actor already has 30 years' experience of "playing" Sinatra, so that can't hurt. But a viewing of 'New in Town' could.
Johnny DeppHe's about to shoot up the screen as the equally feisty John Dillinger in 'Public Enemies,' but he's also a tad occupied, with tent poles 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4,' 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Alice in Wonderland' all in the works.
Movie News Daily
Scorsese to Direct 'Sinatra'
Martin Scorsese is bringing legendary crooner Frank Sinatra back to the big screen. Variety reports that the 'Departed' director has signed on to helm 'Sinatra,' a biopic that will cover Ol' Blue Eyes' storied career, tumultuous love affairs, high-profile friendships with the likes of President Kennedy and his possible Mafia ties. Though no actor has been set to play the iconic entertainer, producer Cathy Schulman says that Leonardo DiCaprio, who has starred in Scorsese's last four features, is an obvious candidate. Luckily, he does have blue eyes. (May 14)
Getty Images (3)
Lohan Turns to 'Other Side'
With her latest flick 'Labor Pains' going straight to TV, Lindsay Lohan is moving to 'The Other Side.' Variety has learned that LiLo will join musicians-turned-actors Dave Matthews and Alanis Morisette, as well as Woody Harrelson and Giovanni Ribisi, in the indie fantasy comedy -- which centers on a grad student (Lohan) moves to a remote island for the summer and, while there, encounters a quirky community hiding the secret of a long-ago tragedy. (May 14)
Getty Images (3)
Ruffalo, Kunis, Liotta Join 'Date Night'
The Steve Carell-Tina Fey comedy 'Date Night' continues to rack up big names. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Mark Ruffalo, Mila Kunis and Ray Liotta have joined an all-star cast of supporting players that includes Mark Wahlberg, James Franco and Kristen Wiig. Ruffalo will play Wiig's husband and Carell's best friend, Kunis the low-rent criminal wife of Franco's character and Liotta a "villain of peace" in the flick, which stars Fey and Carell as a longtime couple on a date gone horribly awry. (May 14)
Getty Images (3)
Whitaker and Jackson Are 'Jekyll and Hyde'
Forrest Whitaker and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will star as the title characters in 'Jekyll and Hyde,' Variety confirms. A modern-day reimagining of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' the film will put a contemporary spin on the story of a scientist who invents a potion that unleashes his violent alter ego. (May 14)
Getty Images (2)
Jackman, Weisz, Pattinson Are 'Captives'
Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz and Robert Pattinson have signed on to star in 'Unbound Captives,' a film which will mark Madeline Stowe's directorial debut, Variety confirms. Stowe also co-wrote the script, which follows a 19th century frontiersman (Jackman) who rescues a mother and son (Weisz and Pattinson) from a Comanche war party. He does not make use of retractable adamantium claws in the process. (May 13)
Getty Images (3)
Kidman Bails on Woody Allen Film
Nicole Kidman has dropped out of the untitled Woody Allen film she was supposed to film in London this summer, Variety reports. There is no word yet on why Kidman bolted or who her replacement will be. She was set to play a princess en route to India in the flick, which co-stars Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts and Freida Pinto. Get more on PopEater. (May 13)
Getty Images
Theaters to Get Special 'Terminator' Seats
If you're planning to see 'Terminator Salvation' at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., Galaxy Theatres in Austin, Texas, or UltraStar Cinemas in Surprise, Ariz., you may be in for a treat. According to the Hollywood Reporter, D-Box, which syncs action movies with rocking motions in cinema seats, has signed a deal to program select seats in the aforementioned theaters to mimic the on-screen action in 'Terminator.' Hopefully not the explosions. (May 13)
Warner Bros.
Kevin Spacey Is 'Casino Jack'
Kevin Spacey is slipping into the well-polished shoes of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff for 'Casino Jack,' Variety reports. The biopic will detail how the once high-powered lobbyist's bribery schemes and fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos landed him in the slammer. (May 13)
Getty Images
Biel, Roberts, Alba Celebrate 'Valentine's Day'
Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper, Shirley MacLaine and Ashton Kutcher are in final negotiations to star in the romantic comedy 'Valentine's Day,' The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The film, which follows five slightly interconnected love stories that unfold on Valentine's Day, has Roberts playing an on-leave army officer, Kutcher a florist torn between two women (Alba and Garner) and Cooper a gay man in love with a closeted football star. (May 12)
Getty Images (3)
Williams Is Gosling's 'Blue Valentine'
Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling have signed on to play a couple whose marriage is failing in the indie drama 'Blue Valentine,' Variety reports. Filming is already underway in New York and Pennsylvania. (May 12)
Getty Images (2)
Daniel CraigHe looks great in a tux, and will beat out any competition in a "Piercing Blue Eyes" contest. But he's locked and loaded as 007; pulling off both could be a tough mission.
Joaquin PhoenixHe was brilliant channeling Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line.' But that was long before he devoted his life to Hip-Hop, or began taking too many crazy pills, depending on your perspective.
Adrian GrenierHis one shot at biopic glory, playing drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, was an epic disaster. Luckily for Grenier that was in an alternate reality known as 'Entourage.'
Ray LiottaHe nailed the role of Sinatra in the 1998 TV movie 'The Rat Pack.' But unless Scorsese and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson decide to focus only on his later years, Liotta's probably too old.
Zac EfronIt's unlikely the actor picked would have to do actual voice work, but still, the 'High School Musical' star has proved he's a born entertainer. Then again, we'd hate to see all those riots on the streets of Hoboken were Efron actually tapped.
Reader Comments (7)
kelly hovsepian at 7:20PM on May 14th 2009
Although I can see a lot of these actors playing Sinatra and there are a few excellent choices here,I think based on looks and singing and acting ability, Harry Connick Jr. would be the best fit.
Bryan at 11:17PM on May 14th 2009
These are actors who have already played Frank Sinatra: Dennis Hopper ("All the Way," 2003), James Russo ("Stealing Sinatra," 2003), Ray Liotta ("The Rat Pack," 1998) and Phillip Casnoff ("Sinatra," 1992, Golden Globe nominee). Thomas Ian Nicholas played Frank Sinatra, Jr. in "Stealing Sinatra."
Most of actors listed as possibilities don't seem right. Depp, DiCaprio, Downey? None of them look the part, though all are fine actors. Zac Efron is too young to play him past the age of 20, and he wasn't even with Harry James at that point. Connick would be an interesting choice, given that he can actually sing, but since Tina Sinatra is a producer of this movie...they'll be able to use actual recordings. Frank Sinatra, Jr. could do what Desi Arnaz, Jr. did in "Mambo Kings" and play his father in later years.
i personally think they did a terrific job in 1992 with the miniseries starring Casnoff and directed by Emmy-winner James Sadwith. But they ended with his comeback from his short-lived retirement in the 1970s, so Scorsese will have a lot of material to cover from then on. He could include his conversion to more conservative politics and even his last major album hit "Duets" (1993). Hopefully this won't just be about 'mob connections,' which were actually dealt with somewhat in the "Sinatra" miniseries.
Pat B. at 8:21AM on May 15th 2009
Without a doubt, Harry Connick.....not only can he pull off the singing he can act! I love DiCaprio but not for this. Harry all the way.
Sarah at 9:01AM on May 15th 2009
I don't know if Harry can pull off the acting bit. I know he sings great, but I have a feeling this is not going to be some light airy romantic comedy. With good makeup Leo is my first choice, I think he has the acting ability to pull this off and no matter who plays Frank they will need voice over, as no one, not even Harry can do what blue eyes could do. My second choice is James Franco, he's got great emerging talent, and I can see him as looking like very early Frank when he did those MGM musicals (Anchor's Away and Take Me out to the Ball Game).
Casey at 1:31PM on May 15th 2009
Christian Slater - seriously. Scorsese needs to watch the "Inside the Actor's Studio" when Slater was on and sang Frank - not only is he a huge Sinatra buff, he can actually sing like Frank, he's got the look and give the guy a break. He's got talent and could use a part like this to show it off. We all know what the other guys (Depp, DiCaprio...) can do.
Gary B at 1:15PM on May 15th 2009
Anybody BUT DiCRAPio, I can not stand this little P#$S Ant.
tony at 10:42AM on Jul 17th 2009
if anyone has the look alike go to the myspace and look for tonysinatra then your will know the true to see