So where was Martin Scorsese last night? I asked around.
One friend said, “Taking a nap, I hope!”
No kidding. Scorsese filled in for his striking actors doing all the promotional stuff for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” He did every appearance and interview. Scorsese is 81 but that didn’t stop him. He was unflagging.
Last weekend he was supposed to appear at the Marrakesh Film Festival. He cancelled at the last minute, which got tongues wagging.
Last night, he got out of the Gotham Awards even though there was a tribute to him and the film, His bff Robert De Niro and actress Lily Gladstone filled in for him.
So what’s up? It turns out Scorsese is “exhausted” because he’s been in Italy filming a scene for two for artist-director Julian Schnabel in his new film, “In the Hands of Dante.” The film stars Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, Oscar Isaac, and Gal Gadot among others. It’s based on a book by Nick Tosches.
Scorsese was already serving as Executive Producer for Schnabel, who’s made great films like “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “At Eternity’s Gate.” But the movie involves the mob underworld, and who better to play such a part for the famed artist than the man who made “Goodfellas” and “The Irishman”?
It’s a good time for Scorsese to take a break before the real Oscar campaigning begins. “Killers of the Flower Moon” is a masterpiece, and he should soon be reaping the rewards. And next year, we’ll get to see him on screen. (Although as you may know he makes a cameo in “Killers.”)
