Martin Scorsese, 81, Says He Has No Plans to Retire: 'I Still Have More Films to Make'

Mar. 15, 2025

Martin Scorsese on Oct. 8, 2024.Photo:Stefano Guidi/Getty

Stefano Guidi/Getty

Martin Scorseseisn’t going anywhere.

As Scorsese, 81, appeared in Turin, Italy, to receive an award from the country’sMuseum of Cinemaon Monday Oct. 7, theKillers of the Flower Moonfilmmaker dispelled rumors that his career may be winding down.

Scorsese’s appearance comes two weeks afterVarietyreported on Sept. 24 that the legendary filmmaker had postponed his next two films — aFrank Sinatra biopicand amovie about Jesus Christ— after initially intending to film both back-to-back in 2024. The latter movie, known asThe Life of Jesus, remains in development, perVariety, citing an anonymous source. The Sinatra biopic, which had been rumored to costarLeonardo DiCaprioas Frank Sinatra andJennifer Lawrenceas Sinatra’s second wife Ava Gardner, was canceled after Scorsese at one point intended on filming in November, the outlet reported.

Martin Scorsese on March 10, 2024.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Despite that report, Scorsese told reporters in Italy he is currently working on a documentary “about marine acrchaeology,” a co-production with the country’s Sicilian region, currently filming throughout Italy, perTHR. The movie is based on underwater archaeologist Lisa Briggs' research project known as Shipwreck of Sicily, which analyzes DNA found on items recovered from ancient shipwrecks.

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Scorsese released his most recent feature film,Killers of the Flower Moon, in October 2023. The movie featured a team-up with frequent collaborators DiCaprio, 49, andRobert De Niro, as well asLily GladstoneandJesse Plemons, among others. This year, he released a short film starringTimothée Chalamet,Blue de Chanel, in collaboration with the French fashion brand.

Martin Scorsese on Jan. 23, 2024.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Whether or when Scorsese plans to return his attention toThe Life of Jesusand his reportedly planned Sinatra biopic remain to be seen. AsVarietyreported back in April,Sinatra’s daughterTina, 75, holds control over Frank’s estate. It remains unclear whether the film has received approval from the estate, as the outlet reported Sept. 24.

The filmmaker often has his hands in multiple projects at once. Back in 2021, it was reported that Scorsese would directJonah Hillas thelate musician Jerry Garciain a biopic about Garcia’s band the Grateful Dead; that movie has not yet been made either.

source: people.com