Sinatra’s Not There
THR team Borys Kit and Jay A. Fernandez had some additional reporting on Martin Scorsese’s planned Frank Sinatra biography yesterday.
They speculated that the film would allow Scorsese to work in elements of the shelved Dean Martin project Dino he’s been working on for years with Nicholas Pileggi (GoodFellas) based on Nick Tosches’ biography of the singer.
With a life as long and rich and varied as Sinatra’s, I think they’ll have enough material to work from without going on a Dean Martin tangent, though that’s not to say there isn’t some overlap.
They also note that screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson (Field of Dreams) has gathered 30,000 pages of research for the film and, according to co-producer (along with Peter Guber) Cathy Schulman, they’re steering away from a straightforward narrative. With Kit and Fernandez offering comparisons to Todd Haynes’ Dylan film I’m Not There, they quote Schulman as saying:
“It’ll be almost like a collage. In the way one of his records captures different rhythms and moods, this will have collective scenes and moments that form the overall story as opposed to a conventional timeline. It’s about capturing moments as opposed to trying to tell the entire story in too little time.”
My burning question continues to be: will they have the rights to Sinatra’s pre-Reprise 1950s recordings?
UPDATE: Meanwhile Nikki Finke says Universal’s “first choice” is Johnny Depp. Yeah, no shit. Everyone’s first choice for everything is Johnny Depp…except for Scorsese who everyone assumes wants Leonardo DiCaprio. They’re both obvious choices and let’s just say I hope they go in another direction.
Filed under: News, Pre-Production
Tags: Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese
This is getting potentially far more interesting.
Honestly and despite the fact that Sinatra did both, I’d almost rather get a singer who can act than an actor who can sing for this one. But I guess the star power is what gets people in seats, isn’t it? Everybody pulled it off fairly well in I’m Not There, but come on, you’re imitating Bob Dylan.
The thing is, Sinatra was a fantastic actor, not just a singer. What made him such an awesome singer, in addition to his amazing voice, musicality and phrasing, was how vulnerable he was when he sang and how he made you believe every word he was singing. I think an actor who can sing is fine, and chances are they’re going to use recordings of Frankie and have the actor lip-synch.
As good an actor as Johnny Depp is he wouldn’t convince me that he’s Frank Sinatra. If they do a new Elvis biopic then I’d say definitely go with him.
Personally I think it would be really refreshing if they went with a talented unknown.
The Finke piece says whoever they choose won’t be doing their own singing. They’re going with the Sinatra recordings which is a very wise choice.
I love Depp. I love DiCaprio. But I’m tired of hearing them tossed around for every goddamn movie. I know it’s all just internet blather, but it irritates.
I’m with Alison. A refreshing unknown.
Over at A.D. there is a discussion about this as well and some interesting names came up, including: (1)JAMES FRANCO – love him, want to see more of him and he could possibly pull this off; (2) RYAN GOSLING -wouldn’t mind seeing him; he definitely has the talent, and the eyes :-); (3) JAMES MCAVOY – not sure about this one, though I do love him too; (4) James Marsden – eh, maybe. Other names thrown about were ORLANDO BLOOM (nah) and EWAN MCGREGOR (I like him a lot but no).
And of course Zac Efron came up – in jest. :p
I agree with you: it’s annoying that everyone always throws out Johnny Depp or Leonardo DiCaprio or other big names as if they’re the only working actors. There’s a lot of talent out there.
See, people are just picking their favorite actors who roughly have the body type.
It’s just like when they’re casting a female superhero and the fanboys are all over the flavor of the minute.
Ryan Gosling I like, but he does’t strike me as the kind of actor who inhabits a character like that. Sure, I like Franco, but what about him suggests Sinatra?
I still like your original idea of going with an unknown, but 10-1 they won’t do that so I guess we’ll have to just hope they pick a name we like.
According to Nikki Finke Universal liked Depp in PE so they want him for this movie too. And any other movie since his name pretty much guarantees that they’ll make a bazillion gajillion dollars.
I think Franco has the right attitude, posture, body type. The eyes are the only thing that’s off, but hey they can always give him contact lenses to make his eyes blue. :p
Depp doesn’t have blue eyes either, so where the hell do they come up with him unless they’re planning to go the contact lens route? Leo at least has the eye color going for him if nothing else. :-)
I’m quite sure Nikki is right that Universal would love to have Depp in the film (and I’m ready for a big fat TOLDJA when it comes true), but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, nor does it mean Scorsese will approve.
I’m sure she is right. What studio wouldn’t want a big box office draw like him in every movie?
Scorsese has never worked with Depp, not sure if he wants to and just hasn’t gotten an opportunity to or what. But Scorsese’s a big enough name too that I’m sure that whoever he wants he’ll get his way.
I think Franco with blue eyes would look a lot like Mario Bello with contacts in World Trade Center = alien-like. Other than he’d be great, but then would he be better known for years to come as Sinatra or James Dean?
I don’t see Scorsese choosing Depp outright, but maybe being persuaded to by his peers/producers. It really just doesn’t seem like a natural fit to me. And Gosling’s eyes seem too down.
This is kind of fun – lots more names to think of!
I’d promise to put on a dress and go around introducing myself as Nancy if Depp is cast as Sinatra, but I think I already promised that if Pitt was cast in Inglourious Basterds.
Nevertheless, I’m skeptical.
LOL. Would you sing These Boots Are Made for Walkin” for us too?
Like I said, Depp is a great actor but this just strikes me as a crappy idea. And even if the studio wants him, he may not be wiling to take the role.
Anyway, I’ve concluded that they should cast an actor who really has blue eyes (not an actor wearing blue-eye contacts, as I joked above). I mean, one of the guy’s nicknames WAS Ol’ Blue Eyes.
I think LEO would be ABSOLUTELY wrong for FRANK. Terrible choice IMO.
JOHNNY, on the other hand, would be GREAT. He has real musical ability (even if he’s not required to actually sing…it still helps) and I think he could do FRANK’S off the charts charisma just as easily as rolling out of bed.
I feel strongly that RYAN GOSLING and JAMES McAVOY are supremely talented and could ultimately convince ANYONE. Plus JAMES has quite startling azure eyes.
JAMES FRANCO has a similar physicality. But didn’t he all ready play JAMES DEAN? JAMES MARSDEN could be a fresh surprise. But he’s not immediately accessible as the character.
Let’s face it…
Unless MARTY goes with a total unknown, you’re never going to get someone who bears a great resemblance to FRANK. I personally think it’s far better to get someone who can SUGGEST Mr. Sinatra that can pull you in and be believable. Rather than someone who looks a great deal like him that you wouldn’t buy for a second.
Anyone else think it’s odd that almost all of the guys being talked up for this are named JAMES…?
And the beat goes on….
I think you’re right Miranda and that looks don’t matter as long as they get close to the general body type. It’s all about the personality they manage to convey.
Ray Liotta came up in one of the other threads. He’s not exactly a dead-ringer for Frank, but there is something about his look that suggests him and not just body-type. He has the eyes too. Unfortunately he’s too old to do this if Scorsese is going to portray Sinatra’s younger years.
I’m still of the opinion that an unknown would be the best way to go, someone who isn’t so recognizable. I have to agree that DiCaprio is not my choice. Scorsese obviously loves working with him but he should branch out.
My first thought was Sam Rockwell with blue eyes. I don’t know if he can sing. I also like the Franco and McAvoy (patterpatterpat goes my heart) suggestions.
Just as long as it’s not Zac Effron. Though perhaps he could be Scorsese’s next muse. :)
Let’s go nuts here and suggest that Scorsese actually use Todd Haynes’ template and use ALL of these actors, each capturing different periods of Sinatra’s life and mythos. That would be fun and would accomplish my wish to see Scorsese get back to doing things that are more experimental and off-the-wall again.
Although Sinatra’s life doesn’t easily fit the same tonal template as Dylan’s, it could work. Portraying Sinatra’s early years, his early success as a crooner, his acting debut, his rat pack days, and his sordid mythic attachment to the mob could all fall to these different actors.
Then of course, Cate Blanchett could whip in as the authorative Blue Eyes, nail the performance, steal all the acclaim, and get another cross-dressing Oscar nom.
Sinatra definitely had different facets throughout his career, though not as extreme as Dylan I suppose.
Here we go. Ahahaha. Best article about this yet.
*snicker*
Alison, that is hysterical. WTF???
I was just over at EW. MARTY is, of course, on the Croisette as I’m typing this. They tried to buttonhole him about the whole Sinatra deal.
He said that they’re tinkering with the script and they haven’t even started thinking about a lead actor. He was diplomatic and very gentlemanly.
Just a couple of days ago, I heard this name being tossed around: CLIVE OWEN. He’s one hell of an actor and he’s definitely got the charisma thing going for him. To me, he’s far sexier than FRANK (who I worshipped as a musical icon but never as a man).
Must admit. CLIVE’S not an obvious choice. But his range is broad. Sure, he’s green eyed. But that’s not THAT far from blue.
I wonder what he’d be like…in the part, of course.
Hmmm…