Martin Scorsese in talks with Netflix, Apple to distribute next film starring Leo Dicaprio after Paramount backs out
In what comes as an interesting piece of news, director Martin Scorsese is reportedly in talks with Apple and Netflix to come up with the money or serve as a distributor for his latest film 'Killers of the Flower Moon' starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
Initially, Paramount Pictures was to produce the film but the company backed out when the movie's budget soared to more than $200 million. A WSJ report stated that 'The Irishman' director has also approached Universal and MGM.
It also said a new studio could take over the project or Paramount might share the cost by partnering with another company. The film is based on David Grann's 2017 non-fiction book, 'Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI'.
The book follows the murders of the Osage Native Americans in the 1920s in an Oklahoman Native American reservation. The act led to a major investigation. Over 60 native Americans were killed after oil was discovered under their land.
Coming back to Scorsese, this isn't the first time he had to switch studios. Paramount was involved as they were set to distribute 'The Irishman', except the costs, were estimated to hit a whopping $173 million.
Netflix then acquired the film and the Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino starrer went on to be a commercial and critical success as it earned 10 Academy Award nominations.
The film follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes a hitman involved with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family, including his time working for the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino).
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a staggering 96% rating. The critics' consensus reads: "An epic gangster drama that earns its extended runtime, 'The Irishman' finds Martin Scorsese revisiting familiar themes to poignant, funny, and profound effect."
You can read our review of 'The Irishman' here.
DiCaprio and Scorsese will see the duo working together for the seventh time in the new movie. Their previous team-ups include 'Gangs of New York', 'The Aviator', 'The Departed', 'Shutter Island', 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and the short film 'The Audition'.