Martin Scorsese , the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind some of cinema’s most iconic works, had planned to begin shooting two highly anticipated films back-to-back this year. One was a biblical epic, “ The Life of Jesus ,” based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1973 novel, and the other was a biopic about legendary singer Frank Sinatra . However, Variety has learned that both projects have been postponed, and neither will be filmed this year.
Scorsese’s “The Life of Jesus” was expected to be the first of the two projects to go into production. Although no official cast has been announced, one source with direct knowledge tells Variety the film is still in development. Scorsese is committed to making the movie about the Christian leader, which he is reportedly financing independently .
He took a similar approach to his 2016 epic drama “Silence,” also adapted from an Endō novel. The filmmaker hoped to shoot in Israel, Italy, and Egypt, but these locations have yet to be confirmed. Based on Endō’s novel, “The Life of Jesus” promises to explore Christ’s complex human and divine aspects, much like Scorsese’s earlier work in “The Last Temptation of Christ.
” No official casting for the film has been announced, but notable names like Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield have been rumored to be circling the project. As for the Sinatra biopic, which has generated plenty of industry excitement, the movie seemed further along with a scheduled November start date at one poi.