Paul Schrader has spoken with Kevin Spacey about the actor starring in a Frank Sinatra biopic, despite multiple allegations still flanking the actor. Spacey is facing a civil trial in the U.K. in 2025 over allegations for which he was acquitted there in a criminal court last year. A new U.K. docuseries airing on Channel 4 also features claims of sexual offenses by the actor from 10 men.
Writer/director Schrader told Variety that he has been in contact with Spacey about him portraying an elderly Sinatra for a film.
“Cancel culture won’t let him go,” Schrader said of Spacey, citing that the actor was acquitted of sexually assaulting four men in 2023. “He’s reading a book on how Charlie Chaplin was canceled.”
Schrader added of the potential biopic, “I would not use Kevin if he had been convicted. But he was not convicted.”
Schrader’s latest film “Oh, Canada...
Writer/director Schrader told Variety that he has been in contact with Spacey about him portraying an elderly Sinatra for a film.
“Cancel culture won’t let him go,” Schrader said of Spacey, citing that the actor was acquitted of sexually assaulting four men in 2023. “He’s reading a book on how Charlie Chaplin was canceled.”
Schrader added of the potential biopic, “I would not use Kevin if he had been convicted. But he was not convicted.”
Schrader’s latest film “Oh, Canada...
- 5/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have worked on different projects a staggering six times and the director reportedly hopes to extend that number.
And not just with Leonardo DiCaprio, he means to also bring back Jennifer Lawrence for another round of adventures, but this time, there’ll be a lot of singing.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Eyed For the Role of Frank Sinatra In Martin Scorsese’s Planned Biopic
Martin Scorsese, 81, is reportedly planning to make a Frank Sinatra biopic after he completes his independently financed upcoming film Jesus, per Variety.
A source apparently reached out to Variety to reveal that DiCaprio, 49, would play the iconic singer-songwriter in the movie, with Jennifer Lawrence being eyed for the role of Sinatra’s second wife Ava Gardner. DiCaprio and Lawrence, 33, both played lead roles in 2021’s “Don’t Look Up.”
Reba McEntire Betrayed By Old Friend View Story
The project, however, has not been approved as Sinatra’s daughter Tina,...
And not just with Leonardo DiCaprio, he means to also bring back Jennifer Lawrence for another round of adventures, but this time, there’ll be a lot of singing.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Eyed For the Role of Frank Sinatra In Martin Scorsese’s Planned Biopic
Martin Scorsese, 81, is reportedly planning to make a Frank Sinatra biopic after he completes his independently financed upcoming film Jesus, per Variety.
A source apparently reached out to Variety to reveal that DiCaprio, 49, would play the iconic singer-songwriter in the movie, with Jennifer Lawrence being eyed for the role of Sinatra’s second wife Ava Gardner. DiCaprio and Lawrence, 33, both played lead roles in 2021’s “Don’t Look Up.”
Reba McEntire Betrayed By Old Friend View Story
The project, however, has not been approved as Sinatra’s daughter Tina,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Nmesoma Okechukwu
- Celebrating The Soaps
Martin Scorsese fans might have experienced a bit of deja vu after Variety exclusively reported that a Frank Sinatra biopic is one of two films the Oscar-winning director is planning to shoot back to back. The other is a movie about Jesus, the director’s second after 1988’s “The Last Temptation of Christ.” But it’s the Sinatra biopic that has long been a white whale of sorts for Scorsese.
Per Variety’s report, Scorsese’s Sinatra movie is eyeing his longtime muse Leonardo DiCaprio to star as the crooner — and the actor’s “Don’t Look Up” co-star Jennifer Lawrence to play his second wife, the famous Hollywood actress Ava Gardner (who factored into Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and was played by Kate Beckinsale). Sony is reportedly the frontrunner to nab the project, which Scorsese once tried and failed to get off the ground several years ago.
Back during his...
Per Variety’s report, Scorsese’s Sinatra movie is eyeing his longtime muse Leonardo DiCaprio to star as the crooner — and the actor’s “Don’t Look Up” co-star Jennifer Lawrence to play his second wife, the famous Hollywood actress Ava Gardner (who factored into Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and was played by Kate Beckinsale). Sony is reportedly the frontrunner to nab the project, which Scorsese once tried and failed to get off the ground several years ago.
Back during his...
- 4/18/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Fresh off of scoring 10 Oscar nominations for Killers Of The Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese is showing no signs of slowing down. He's got two long-gestating projects he'd like to clear from his To Do list, one of them a biodrama about legendary crooner Frank Sinatra's tumultuous private life. The film, assuming it all comes together, would star the director's current primary collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra, with Jennifer Lawrence the top choice to play his second wife, Ava Gardner.
You might think Scorsese can simply hit a button at this point to indicate that he wants to make a movie and everything simply falls into place, but it's far from that easy. Sinatra's daughter Tina controls her father's estate and hasn't yet given her blessing to the film. Which isn't hugely surprising since it aims to cover the period where Sinatra's affair with Gardner broke up his marriage to Nancy Barbato,...
You might think Scorsese can simply hit a button at this point to indicate that he wants to make a movie and everything simply falls into place, but it's far from that easy. Sinatra's daughter Tina controls her father's estate and hasn't yet given her blessing to the film. Which isn't hugely surprising since it aims to cover the period where Sinatra's affair with Gardner broke up his marriage to Nancy Barbato,...
- 4/17/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
It was a very good year for Martin Scorsese when the iconic filmmaker earned 10 Oscar nominations for Killers of the Flower Moon, but the 81-year-old auteur isn’t slowing down. In addition to partnering with Steven Spielberg to adapt Cape Fear for TV and adapting Life of Jesus based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1973 novel, Scorsese is eyeing a Frank Sinatra biopic with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence reportedly leading the cast.
While a Frank Sinatra biopic based on the life and times of the world-famous crooner sounds like a dream project come true, Scorsese might encounter a sour note on behalf of the late entertainer’s daughter, Tina Sinatra, who controls her father’s estate. Tina is withholding her blessing for Scorsese to move forward with the project, but that hasn’t stopped him from lining up a cast of A-list actors to make it a reality. Naturally, DiCaprio would play Sinatra,...
While a Frank Sinatra biopic based on the life and times of the world-famous crooner sounds like a dream project come true, Scorsese might encounter a sour note on behalf of the late entertainer’s daughter, Tina Sinatra, who controls her father’s estate. Tina is withholding her blessing for Scorsese to move forward with the project, but that hasn’t stopped him from lining up a cast of A-list actors to make it a reality. Naturally, DiCaprio would play Sinatra,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Martin Scorsese is taking on biopics of both Jesus and a music god: Frank Sinatra.
The Oscar-winning auteur is rumored to be once more developing a biopic based on the legendary crooner — a project Scorsese’s been associated with before — with longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to portray Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Variety reported the news. DiCaprio recently starred in Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and also led other Scorsese-helmed biopics like “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Aviator.”
Variety noted that Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina Sinatra controls her father’s estate and hasn’t yet approved a film adaptation of his life story. However, Scorsese is already looking to cast both DiCaprio and fellow Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence in the film, with Lawrence portraying screen star Ava Gardner, who was Sinatra’s second wife after Nancy Barbato. Lawrence and DiCaprio co-starred in “Don’t Look Up.
The Oscar-winning auteur is rumored to be once more developing a biopic based on the legendary crooner — a project Scorsese’s been associated with before — with longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to portray Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Variety reported the news. DiCaprio recently starred in Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and also led other Scorsese-helmed biopics like “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Aviator.”
Variety noted that Frank Sinatra’s daughter Tina Sinatra controls her father’s estate and hasn’t yet approved a film adaptation of his life story. However, Scorsese is already looking to cast both DiCaprio and fellow Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence in the film, with Lawrence portraying screen star Ava Gardner, who was Sinatra’s second wife after Nancy Barbato. Lawrence and DiCaprio co-starred in “Don’t Look Up.
- 4/17/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
"Killers of the Flower Moon" may have ended with a bittersweet final coda from Martin Scorsese, but the acclaimed octogenarian director clearly still has plenty of future projects on his plate. Variety just broke the news that Scorsese apparently has a Frank Sinatra biopic in the works, and while the filmmaker's reps declined to comment, the outlet claims he has none other than frequent leading man Leonardo DiCaprio in mind to play the lead. The filmmaker's take on the famous crooner's life also reportedly will include a major part for Jennifer Lawrence, who sources say will play Sinatra's second wife, Ava Gardner.
According to the trade outlet, the Sinatra picture isn't exactly a done deal: Variety notes that Sinatra's daughter Tina, who controls the late singer's estate, hasn't given her blessing for the movie yet. Still, studios including Sony and Apple are reportedly interested in the as-yet-untitled film, which...
According to the trade outlet, the Sinatra picture isn't exactly a done deal: Variety notes that Sinatra's daughter Tina, who controls the late singer's estate, hasn't given her blessing for the movie yet. Still, studios including Sony and Apple are reportedly interested in the as-yet-untitled film, which...
- 4/17/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Famed director Martin Scorsese is working on a Frank Sinatra biopic, and he’s looking to reunite with one of his favorite stars, Leonardo DiCaprio, for the picture.
Sources have shared with Variety that Leonardo would play the famed crooner with Jennifer Lawrence eyed for Frank‘s second wife, actress Ava Gardner. Jennifer and Leonardo worked together on 2021′s Don’t Look Up.
However, the project isn’t officially full steam ahead as there’s a snag.
Keep reading to find out more…
Tina Sinatra, the daughter of the late singer, controls Frank‘s full estate and she has not given her blessing to the project at this time. It’s important to note that Ava “broke up” Frank‘s marriage to Tina‘s mom, Nancy Barbato. Variety also notes that with two high profile stars in Leonardo and Jennifer, the film is already drawing a ton of attention. Sony looks...
Sources have shared with Variety that Leonardo would play the famed crooner with Jennifer Lawrence eyed for Frank‘s second wife, actress Ava Gardner. Jennifer and Leonardo worked together on 2021′s Don’t Look Up.
However, the project isn’t officially full steam ahead as there’s a snag.
Keep reading to find out more…
Tina Sinatra, the daughter of the late singer, controls Frank‘s full estate and she has not given her blessing to the project at this time. It’s important to note that Ava “broke up” Frank‘s marriage to Tina‘s mom, Nancy Barbato. Variety also notes that with two high profile stars in Leonardo and Jennifer, the film is already drawing a ton of attention. Sony looks...
- 4/17/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Mark Twain once quipped, “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it, it doesn’t matter.” When it comes to Martin Scorsese, age certainly isn’t making a difference. After landing 10 Oscar nominations for last year’s historical crime epic “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the 81-year-old director has mapped out his next several projects. Sources say he plans to shoot two films back to back: the first about Jesus, the second a Frank Sinatra biopic.
The Oscar-winning director who helped usher in the Hollywood New Wave of the 1970s is looking to bypass the studio system and independently finance “Life of Jesus,” based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1973 book. He took the same approach with the 2016 drama “Silence” (which also was adapted from an Endō novel). In fact, Scorsese would like to reunite with “Silence” star Andrew Garfield for the Jesus project, though it...
The Oscar-winning director who helped usher in the Hollywood New Wave of the 1970s is looking to bypass the studio system and independently finance “Life of Jesus,” based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1973 book. He took the same approach with the 2016 drama “Silence” (which also was adapted from an Endō novel). In fact, Scorsese would like to reunite with “Silence” star Andrew Garfield for the Jesus project, though it...
- 4/17/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Sinatra had a healthy and robust love life. The blue-eyed crooner romanced several stunning women and married multiple times. While many people remember his marriage to Mia Farrow, he was also married to another starlet. Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner were married for several tumultuous years, and their romance began with shooting out streetlights.
Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra’s first meeting involved guns
While most people who are romantically interested in each other test things out with dinner and a movie, that was a bit too boring for Gardner and Sinatra. According to Vanity Fair, the couple’s romance began with a wild drunken night out that ended at the police station in Indio, California.
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner | CBS via Getty Images
Gardner and Sinatra met at a party hosted by Darryl Zanuck, an entertainment executive. The stars were both drunk when they decided to leave the party together.
Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra’s first meeting involved guns
While most people who are romantically interested in each other test things out with dinner and a movie, that was a bit too boring for Gardner and Sinatra. According to Vanity Fair, the couple’s romance began with a wild drunken night out that ended at the police station in Indio, California.
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner | CBS via Getty Images
Gardner and Sinatra met at a party hosted by Darryl Zanuck, an entertainment executive. The stars were both drunk when they decided to leave the party together.
- 9/16/2023
- by Andrea Francese
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra had a passionate and volatile relationship. While they loved each other deeply, they fought viciously and often. While they divorced in 1957, Gardner knew for a time that the relationship was too explosive to last. Still, she remained in the romance for years. She shared the Nsfw reason why.
Ava Gardner shared why she stayed in her relationship with Frank Sinatra
Gardner and Sinatra met while he was still married to his first wife, Nancy Barbato. News of their affair went public in 1950, landing a punishing blow to Sinatra’s marriage and public image. He struggled to find acting roles, and his music career stalled. Still, Gardner stayed with him and, ultimately, helped resuscitate his career.
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner | Library of Congress
While she loved him enough to support him through this struggle, they fought often. They frequently had public screaming matches or broke things during fights.
Ava Gardner shared why she stayed in her relationship with Frank Sinatra
Gardner and Sinatra met while he was still married to his first wife, Nancy Barbato. News of their affair went public in 1950, landing a punishing blow to Sinatra’s marriage and public image. He struggled to find acting roles, and his music career stalled. Still, Gardner stayed with him and, ultimately, helped resuscitate his career.
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner | Library of Congress
While she loved him enough to support him through this struggle, they fought often. They frequently had public screaming matches or broke things during fights.
- 9/11/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Netflix has nabbed a high-profile drama about music and screen icon Frank Sinatra. The streamer has closed a series development deal for the project, which hails from Oscar winner Bill Condon, Lionsgate Television, Universal Music Group’s Polygram Entertainment and Frank Sinatra Enterprises. The series, which will feature Frank Sinatra’s music and performances, is executive produced by his daughter, Tina Sinatra.
Condon is set to write and direct the pilot and serve as showrunner on the project, described as the definitive bio-series on the iconic singer, actor, producer and quintessential celebrity of 20th Century America. Condon is executive producing alongside his producing partner Greg Yolen. Tina Sinatra and Bob Finkelstein are executive producing via Frank Sinatra Enterprises; Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and David Blackman via Polygram, Umg’s film and television production and development division; with Jack Morrissey also an EP.
Condon is set to write and direct the pilot and serve as showrunner on the project, described as the definitive bio-series on the iconic singer, actor, producer and quintessential celebrity of 20th Century America. Condon is executive producing alongside his producing partner Greg Yolen. Tina Sinatra and Bob Finkelstein are executive producing via Frank Sinatra Enterprises; Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and David Blackman via Polygram, Umg’s film and television production and development division; with Jack Morrissey also an EP.
- 12/16/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: One of the top entertainers of the 20th century, Grammy-winning singer and Oscar-winning actor Frank Sinatra, is the subject of a high-profile drama series, written, directed and executive produced by Oscar winner Bill Condon, I have learned. The series, which will have access to Sinatra’s music catalogue, is executive produced by Sinatra’s daughter, Tina Sinatra, and comes from Lionsgate Television and Universal Music Group. It has been taken to the premium marketplace, garnering strong interest and multiple bids.
I hear that Condon is set to write and direct the pilot and serve as showrunner on the series, which he is executive producing alongside his producing partner Greg Yolen. Also executive producing are Tina Sinatra and Bob Finkelstein via Frank Sinatra Enterprises; Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and David Blackman via Polygram; and Jack Morrissey.
The project, described as the definitive bio-series on the iconic singer, actor, producer and...
I hear that Condon is set to write and direct the pilot and serve as showrunner on the series, which he is executive producing alongside his producing partner Greg Yolen. Also executive producing are Tina Sinatra and Bob Finkelstein via Frank Sinatra Enterprises; Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and David Blackman via Polygram; and Jack Morrissey.
The project, described as the definitive bio-series on the iconic singer, actor, producer and...
- 12/10/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Nancy Sinatra Sr., the first of Frank Sinatra's four wives and the mother of the legendary entertainer's three children, has died. She was 101.
She died Friday, according to her daughter Nancy. "My mother passed away peacefully tonight at the age of 101. She was a blessing and the light of my life. Godspeed, Momma. Thank you for everything," she tweeted Friday. The cause and setting of the death was not given.
Nancy Barbato met Sinatra, then a little-known jazz singer from Hoboken, N.J., in the summer of 1934 in Long Branch, N.J., and ...
She died Friday, according to her daughter Nancy. "My mother passed away peacefully tonight at the age of 101. She was a blessing and the light of my life. Godspeed, Momma. Thank you for everything," she tweeted Friday. The cause and setting of the death was not given.
Nancy Barbato met Sinatra, then a little-known jazz singer from Hoboken, N.J., in the summer of 1934 in Long Branch, N.J., and ...
- 7/14/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Frank Sinatra Jr. has died at the age of 72, according to a statement by his family to The Associated Press. Born Francis Wayne Sinatra, the singer and songwriter was the son of music legend Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra. Sinatra Jr. died unexpectedly Wednesday of cardiac arrest while on tour in Daytona Beach, Florida, his family said. Also Read: Keith Emerson, Founding Member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Dies at 71 The statement went on to say that the family mourns the untimely passing of their son, brother, father and uncle, but no other details were provided.
- 3/17/2016
- by Linda Ge and Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes had the world on a string this past weekend, as they celebrated the actress's 42nd birthday in style. The famous couple, along with their 1-year-old daughter Esmeralda, rented out none other than Frank Sinatra's infamous Palm Springs, CA vacation home for four days, Et reports. The 4 bedroom, 7 bathroom house is a comfortable 4,500 sq. ft. and was built in 1947 for Old Blue Eyes and his wife, Nancy Barbato. According to the rental website, one of the house's sinks still has a chip on it that was rumored to have been created when Sinatra slammed a...
- 3/10/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes had the world on a string this past weekend, as they celebrated the actress's 42nd birthday in style. The famous couple, along with their 1-year-old daughter Esmeralda, rented out none other than Frank Sinatra's infamous Palm Springs, CA vacation home for four days, Et reports. The 4 bedroom, 7 bathroom house is a comfortable 4,500 sq. ft. and was built in 1947 for Old Blue Eyes and his wife, Nancy Barbato. According to the rental website, one of the house's sinks still has a chip on it that was rumored to have been created when Sinatra slammed a...
- 3/10/2016
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- PEOPLE.com
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