There have probably been five or six “next projects” that Martin Scorsese has been reported to be directing after he did “Killers of the Flower Moon” in 2023, but this one may finally have some real legs to it.
Scorsese has committed to directing “What Happens at Night,” which is a creepy ghost story adaptation of a 2020 book by Peter Cameron, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire. Leonardo DiCaprio, naturally, would be starring in the film alongside Jennifer Lawrence. Apple Original Films is also circling the project, with an eye to finance and produce it alongside Studiocanal, which developed the script.
What makes “What Happens at Night” seem like this really is the next one is that there’s a pretty-soon start date of January being eyed (though wouldn’t Leo be in the midst of an Oscar campaign for “One Battle After Another?”). Apple though also has first look deals with Scorsese’s Sikelia production banner and DiCaprio’s Appian Way, so the reunion after “Killers of the Flower Moon” makes sense.
It also has a script! Patrick Marber (“Closer,” “Notes on a Scandal”) wrote it, with Studiocanal developing it since 2023, way back when Scorsese at that point was just interested in producing. The story has some serious “The Shining” meets “Shutter Island” vibes about a couple who travels to Europe and checks in at a mysterious hotel to adopt a child, only to see that nothing is as it seems and as the wife of the couple is ill with a cancer diagnosis.
But let’s not forget that Scorsese has been kicking around several projects since “Flower Moon” that all made just as much plausible sense. There was a “Sinatra” biopic we’ve been hearing about forever, and that one would’ve also starred DiCaprio and Lawrence as Ava Gardner. There was a report of a crime drama set in Hawaii that would’ve starred Dwayne Johnson. There was “The Life of Jesus,” which was paused for script revisions. Apple was also reportedly circling another Scorsese/DiCaprio project that would’ve been based on the “Gilead” series of books. And we were also told that another long-gestating project that has changed a ton of hands, “The Devil and the White City,” was being revived at 20th Century with, you guessed it, DiCaprio attached again. We know he’ll pick up the phone anytime Marty calls. This would be their 7th movie together.
DiCaprio for what its worth has also been attached to a ton of projects, with no clear indication of what his next would be. Damien Chazelle wanted to do an Evel Knievel biopic, and that may have finally fallen through.
Lawrence meanwhile starred in Lynne Ramsay’s “Die, My Love” that premiered at Cannes and was acquired by MUBI, and she’s also been circling a couple of A24 films as well.
Whatever Scorsese does direct next, let’s hope it’s soon for the 82-year-old legend.
Deadline first reported the news.