The Frank Sinatra biopic is officially in the works, with Martin Scorsese set to direct and now the news that Billy Ray (screenwriter for that um sleeper hit, The Hunger Games) is on board as well. Knowing very little about Ol’ Blue Eyes (other than that my 8th grade teacher was completely obsessed with him) I’m excited to learn more about the man through this project. I think we can definitely expect good things with Marty directing and Frank Sinatra‘s daughter (Tina Sinatra) taking the reigns as one of the producers. And unlike the drama surrounding the Jimi Hendrix biopic (and the lack of access to original music), this movie is being made in conjunction with the Sinatra estate, which means the rights to his music have already been secured. That, at least, should please Mrs. Thompson. Deets inside!
So, it’s kind of a good time to be Billy Ray. The writer recently handled the script for Tom Hanks‘s new flick, Captain Phillips which just finished shooting. And he’s also writing the movie spin-off for the FOX series 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland. I’m thinking the Sinatra biopic is in very capable hands.
Now here’s what everyone’s freaking out about– who will play Frank Sinatra??? One reader on Deadline Hollywood (username: Please Not Leo) commented, ‘For the love of bourbon please do not cast Leo as the Chairman. He is a talented guy but not for this role.‘ LMAO. I thought that was pretty hilarious and, while I do lurve the Scorsese/DiCaprio mash-ups, I’d like to see someone else in this role as well. It’s not that I don’t think Leo could pull it off, I just don’t really see him playing this part… and I may still be reeling from his last biopic. J. Edgar. Uhhh, yeah. I dunno.
Anybody else excited about this flick popping off? Any Sinatra fans in the building? Mrs. Thompson, where you at?!
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