Martin Scorsese’s Next Crime Movie Sounds Too Wild To Be Real

Martin Scorsese is all set to bring yet another crime saga to life on screen. However, this time, The Wolf of Wall Street director is teaming up with an unlikely collaborator, which could definitely surprise fans.

The 82-year-old filmmaker shows no signs of retirement, with multiple projects reportedly in development since his last outing, Killers of the Flower Moon, in 2023. But recent rumors of a crime movie — Scorsese’s home turf genre — have sent fans buzzing, thanks to its exciting premise and, more importantly, an unexpected choice of lead actor.

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Is Martin Scorsese Returning To The Gangster Genre?

His Next Movie Could Be A Hawaiian Mob Story

According to an exclusive Deadline report, Martin Scorsese is set to direct an untitled drama starring Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Emily Blunt. The film reportedly revolves around organized crime in Hawaii, with the lead crime boss somewhat similar to Robert De Niro’s iconic Jimmy the Gent. In fact, the report compares the film’s heated mob setting to Scorsese’s previous gangster movies like Goodfellas and The Departed.

If the project does move forward, it would mark the director’s return to his mafia comfort zone after 2019’s Netflix epic, The Irishman. The streaming giant is reportedly the frontrunner to acquire the project, alongside other high bidders such as Amazon and Apple; the latter being Scorsese’s last collaborator. Much like his two most recent feature films, Scorsese’s latest rumored Hawaii crime drama is also expected to surpass the $200 million budget mark.

Scorsese’s Next Film Is Based On A True Story

A Hawaiian Crime Boss Fights For Power And Land

Martin Scorsese excels at adapting true stories to the screen and turning them into groundbreaking crime dramas. This rumored project follows that trend, as the film explores organized crime in Hawaii during the 1960s and ’70s — a turbulent time in history for the otherwise paradise-like island. The story details outlined in the exclusive report seem to hint at the same:

“It’s based on the untold true story of a man who fought to preserve his homeland through a ruthless quest for absolute power — igniting the last great American mob saga, where the war for cultural survival takes place in the unlikeliest of places: paradise.”

The details suggest that Scorsese has drawn inspiration from a group called The Company, the Hawaiian crime syndicate controlled illegal activities in the state from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. Its history follows a similar trajectory to The Departed and Goodfellas. The film could potentially chronicle the rise and fall of Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa, with Dwayne Johnson possibly portraying the crime boss. Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio could take on the role of Charles Marsland, the prosecutor who led the investigation against them.

Scorsese’s New Film Adds More Big Names

Scorsese has reportedly brought in Nick Bilton to write the screenplay and serve as a producer. Bilton is an author, documentary filmmaker, and special correspondent for Vanity Fair. In addition to Scorsese, Johnson, Blunt, DiCaprio, and Bilton, the project’s producers include Dany Garcia, Lisa Frechette, and Rick Yorn. The roster is expected to grow in due time, once the project gets acquired and greenlit after the bidding war is done.

Dwayne Johnson’s Career Is Evolving

This Might Be The Rock’s Renaissance Movie

Dwayne Johnson landing the lead role in a Martin Scorsese film seemed like one of the most unlikely prospects in Hollywood, until reports of this project emerged. With all due respect to The Rock’s status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, his acting chops have often been questioned. He’s frequently criticized for his lack of versatility and for making cash-grab choices that sometimes misfire entirely. A collaboration with Scorsese would change all of that in an instant, especially with this rumored project.

It’s actually more a case of Johnson finding Scorsese, rather than the other way around. The actor and his Jungle Cruise co-star, Emily Blunt, reportedly brought the idea to Scorsese and DiCaprio, who then enlisted Bilton to write the film, pending a studio deal and proper setup. Johnson and Blunt are currently working together again on A24’s The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie. That project also holds immense potential to change Johnson’s image from a one-note entertainer to a genuine performer.

Dwayne Johnson’s Hawaii Crime Film Will Have To Wait

DiCaprio And Scorsese Are Busy With Other Projects

Scorsese’s untitled Hawaii crime epic will have to wait for some time, even if it finds buyers soon. DiCaprio is currently busy working on Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film, One Battle After Another, alongside Sean Penn and Regina Hall. That said, the Shutter Island actor will inevitably make time for the rumored project, considering Scorsese is his favorite collaborator, with six feature films together to date. The iconic actor-director duo are also reportedly working on a serial killer film adaptation of The Devil in the White City.

Martin Scorsese’s hands are also full, with several other projects rumored to be in the pipeline. In May 2023, the Taxi Driver director met with Pope Francis and hinted at a movie about Jesus Christ, based on Shūsaku Endō’s novel A Life of Jesus. Spirituality has been just as strong a theme in Scorsese’s films as crime. Other rumored projects include a Frank Sinatra biopic, also with DiCaprio in the lead, as well as an adaptation of Home by Marilynne Robinson.

As of now, no further details are available regarding Martin Scorsese’s rumored crime drama.

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