Marty Scorsese, Johnny Depp, doobie-doobie-do Frank Sinatra?

Martin Scorsese is bringing Ol’ Blue Eyes to the bigscreen. Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures are teaming on “Sinatra” and have brought on Scorsese — who has long flirted with a biopic on singer-actor Frank Sinatra — to direct and produce. Phil Alden Robinson is writing the screenplay.

Although no actor is attached to star in the film, Schulman said Leonardo DiCaprio is an obvious candidate because he has become Scorsese’s go-to actor over the past decade, having starred in the director’s past four features: “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” “The Departed” and the upcoming “Shutter Island.” Because any music in the film will come from Sinatra’s recordings, it will not be necessary to cast an actor who is a proficient singer. – from Variety

Having built a career on films about tough guys, Las Vegas and venerated religious figures, Martin Scorsese is planning to direct a movie that has elements of all three: a biography of Frank Sinatra. Variety has reported that Mr. Scorsese will direct a film to be produced by Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures, which have secured the rights to both Sinatra’s life story and music from his estate. No release date or casting has been announced, but Leonardo DiCaprio, a veteran of Mr. Scorsese’s films “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator” and “The Departed,” is believed to be the leading candidate to play Sinatra. – from NYTimes

Director Marty Scorsese may want Leonardo DiCaprio for the coming biopic about Frank Sinatra. (Just as Marty wanted Leo for Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, and soon Shutter Island.) But I hear Universal’s first choice to fill the role may be Johnny Depp. The studio is thrilled with his performance in this summer’s forthcoming Public Enemies and very much wants to stay in the Johnny Depp business. – from Deadline