Martin Scorsese Lines Up Projects After "Hugo Cabret"

With Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller, “Shutter Island,” less than two weeks away from its release, the next thing everybody wants to know from the Scorsese is, what’s next? The Playlist reports on Scorcese’s upcoming slate, which will start with his first children’s film, “Hugo Cabret.”

According to The Playlist: Scorsese will be making his first children’s movie The “Invention of Hugo Cabret,” an adaptation of Brian Selznick’s best-selling children’s historical fiction book set in 1930s Paris.

Following “Cabret” will be the long-awaited 17th century Jesuit Priest drama “Silence,” which was set to star Daniel Day-Lewis, Benicio Del Toro and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Said Scorsese: "Everything was ready for 'Silence.' But the film was shifted to be shot immediately after this project [Hugo Cabret]."

Following “Silence,” Scorsese will get behind a project with Robert De Niro entitled “The Irishman,” the mob drama that was formally known as "I Heard You Paint Horses." De Niro's character in the film is named Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, who is reputed to have carried out more than 25 mob murders. When it was reported in early 2008, the writer on the project was Steve Zaillian ("American Gangster," the original draft of "Moneyball").

The final project--which may, in fact, be the first to be released--is Scorsese’s George Harrison documentary, which may or may not get a theatrical release but which is slated to be released this year.

To everyone’s benefit, these aren't the only two projects he has ready to go as he's keeping himself busy for the next few years. Already deep in production on an HBO series “Boardwalk Empire,” Scorsese also is developing a Frank Sinatra biopic and a Franklin Roosevelt project that he'll produce.

Scorsese is a legendary director, so it’s nice to see him keeping active. He is one director who has not suffered from getting older. His recent work has been great with “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator” and “The Departed” all garnering many awards, so there is no reason to think any of his upcoming films won’t do the same.

I’m excited to see Scorsese tackle the thriller genre with “Shutter Island.” The trailers look creepy and suspenseful, and I think it should be a good film. It also will be interesting to see how the director puts his own spin on a children’s film with “Cabret.”

Martin Scorsese Directing "Hugo Cabret"

Martin Scorsese is in talks to direct a live-action adaptation of Brian Selznick's children's book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" for GK Films, according to Variety.

From Variety: The helmer is in talks with GK Films to direct Brian Selznick's best-selling children's book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" for what he hopes will be his next project. The pic would reunite Scorsese with his "Departed" producer Graham King.

The story centers on a 12-year-old orphan named Hugo, who lives in a train station and must finish what his late father started by solving the mystery of a broken robot. Project would mark Scorsese's first foray into kid lit--a genre that is attracting a number of high-profile directors including Wes Anderson ("The Fantastic Mr. Fox") and Spike Jonze ("Where the Wild Things Are"), whose films are resonating with adult audiences.

"Hugo," which won the Randolph Caldecott Medal in 2008 for the most distinguished American picture book for children, is of a mammoth size--533 pages. More than half of the pages contain elaborate pictures that the New York Times described as looking like movie storyboard frames.

Chris Wedge ("Ice Age") was previously attached to direct. John Logan (Scorsese's "The Aviator") wrote the script and the project will likely be Scorsese's next.

Whether it’s live action, animated, whatever, as long as Scorcese’s name is attached, I’m interested. Although his latest picture, “Shutter Island,” was delayed, I don’t think it had anything to do with the quality of the movie, which looks great, actually. And although this would be Scorcese’s first foray into a more kid friendly project, he’s no stranger to changing genre’s and experimenting with film.

Shooting is scheduled to start on June 1, 2010 in London.

Derick Martini Celebrates "31 Days of Larry"

Derick Martini ("Lymelife") is set to direct the romantic comedy "31 Days of Larry" for Lionsgate, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the Hollywood Reporter: Derick Martini is raising his glass to direct the Lionsgate romantic comedy "31 Days of Larry." John Goldwyn is in talks to produce.

The story revolves around a woman in desperate need of money and a depressed man, Larry, who has trouble killing himself. The two concoct a plan to get married so the man gets help committing suicide and the woman receives the life-insurance payout.

Lionsgate picked up the spec by Corinne Kingsbury last summer. Martini will help develop the project and oversee a script rewrite by Kingsbury.

Martini's first film, "Lymelife," starred Alec Baldwin and was executive produced by Martin Scorsese, and won the international critics award at the Toronto International Film Festival and snagged the filmmaker a Gotham Awards nomination for breakthrough director.

Last fall, Martini sold his original comedy spec, "I Am My Family's Secret," to Paramount with Montecito producing and Martini attached to direct.

Martini clearly is a filmmaker to watch, especially considering Martin Scorsese executive produced his first project. With someone like Scorsese backing your film, obviously you have some talent and the new project looks to be right up Martini’s alley.

“31 Days of Larry” will shoot sometime in 2010.