Genre: Biography/Drama.
Studio:
Warner Brothers.
Production Company:
Unknown.
Project Phase: In Development.
Tentative Cast: Tom Hanks (Dean Martin); John Travolta (Frank Sinatra); Hugh Grant (Peter Lawford); Adam Sandler (Joey Bishop); Jim Carrey (Jerry Lewis). Who's Making It: Martin Scorsese (Director); Nicholas Pileggi (Screenwriter).
Premise: The life and adventures of Dean Martin during the years he hung out with the 'Rat Pack' members.
Release Date: Unknown.
Developments:
May 15, 1998... Frank Sinatra dies. He was 82.
Comments:
This is one heavy assembly of actors for a project with the potential to be just as heavy; if it were a little closer to the first of April, we'd swear Scorsese is pulling a fast one on us. The wattage alone from half the cast is enough to greenlight a picture at a studio, besides mentioning the director or even the bloody premise of the film. This has the possibility to be monsterous at the box office and at Oscar time.
But will it happen at all? Right now Pileggi is writing the script and the key word used in the WB press release concerning the casting of Hanks, Carrey and other $20 million dollar men is "hopefully". Still, it'd be grand to see the project make it all the way to your local multiplex, wouldn't it?
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
[Page drafted and submitted by 'Deadpool'.]
November 16, 1997... We're told that Chris Rock would be the star most likely chosen to portray Sammy Davis Jr. [Thank ya to 'Doug Diggler', ladies and gentlemen.]
March 17, 1998... In a Time cover article about the Primary Colors film, the magazine mentions that the film's star John Travolta will "very likely" play Frank Sinatra in Scorsese's upcoming Dean Martin Biopic. Our scooper observes: "Personally, I don't see it working, but ditto Travolta as Clinton, and damn if he doesn't look right on in those trailers." [Thanks to our man 'Fake Shemp' for the latest word.]
May 18, 1998... In an interview with Martin Scorsese in the French edition of Premiere, the director said Nicholas Pileggi is presently writing the script's second draft. Scorsese also added that he will continue working on the project when he returns from Cannes (Scorsese is this year's President of the Jury). [Scooped by Liam.]
While covering the Cannes Film Festival on the May 15th edition of Access Hollywood, John Travolta said that he was going to play Frank Sinatra in Martin Scorsese's film. Travolta also mentioned that Tom Hanks was "most likely" going to play Dean Martin. [Thanks to 'lcuga'.]
Another reader recalls an interesting quote from Scorsese during the time Kundun was in release. Scorsese was asked by an interviewer about this project and the unlikely possibility of getting Hanks, Travolta, and Carrey together for one film. Scorsese's answer (paraphrasing from the scooper's memory) was something like "Never mind paying them, can you imagine trying to schedule them all?" [Thanks to 'Jon the King' for the trivia.]
May 19, 1998... Before going to France to chair the Cannes Film Festival, Martin Scorsese stopped off in Dublin. Scorsese was there as a guest of the UCD School of Film, and the director gave a public interview after a screening of his movie Goodfellas.
Our scooper heard Scorsese mention that this project looked more likely to move ahead than any other one he was presently considering. As well, Scorsese confirmed Tom Hanks in the role of Dean Martin. The Irish Times website has posted up a complete transcript of the Scorsese interview. It can be accessed at www.irish-times.com/irish-times/special/marty/index. " I would recommend reading the transcript, if only to learn where he stole the idea for some of the camera angles in Raging Bull from," our scooper, Richard Danaher, comments. [Mr. Scorsese's fans thank you, Richard Danaher.]