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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. Besides, it’s already been determined that the lead actor playing Sinatra won’t be singing. The movie will feature Sinatra’s own recordings thanks to a deal with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, guaranteeing the participation of the Sinatra estate and Warner Music Group. Besides, Scorsese and Depp have never worked together: that alone could be reason enough to see this pic.
Universal, Peter Guber And Marty Scorsese Making Sinatra Film With Family
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Haven’t seen this suggestion yet, but what about Vince Vaughn?
The swagger, the mugshots…
Johnny Depp is the perfect choice. He has the Sinatra swagger. I just don’t see it with Leo. Leo just doesn’t have that totally masculine demeanor that Johnny has in his roles. Wow!
More important: who will be Ava Gardner.
I think someone just saw the outfits and had a separated-at-birth? moment. Character-wise, the Chairman would be right up his alley–after all, Depp’s definitely a I-did-it-my-way kind of guy. Anyone but Leo–Sacha Baron Cohen… Jim Carrey… Seth Rogan… please just no more Leo!
If they focus on the Ava Gardner marriage (which was the most fascinating part of his personal life) then I can’t think of anyone more visually perfect than Ashley Judd. I just don’t know if she could pull it off…could she?
Think James Marsden
he studio may think that they’re playing it safe with Depp which is why I don’t believe the movie would do that well with him. Take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Depp made the role just a little too strange. For Sinatra I would choose James Marsden who is a great actor with range, oh and most importantly, blue eyes!
How about this? The original swinger, Vince Vaughn.
I mean, if they’re dubbing the songs anyways…
yes sir, go with Johnny Depp, he looks right for the roll.
ciao
Adrien Brody!!!
how about Milo Ventimigla playing young Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. playing ol’ blue eyes from 1951 on?
James Marsden would be perfect for the part.
Try Tom Burlinson for the songs – Ausralia’s Tribute to Frank Sinatra, the best going around.
Sinatra is the draw. This movie doesn’t need a big star to bring in an audience. I think hiring a major star will only distract from Sinatra (the movie will become about the big star playing Sinatra, not Sinatra himself.) They should cast an unknown – and someone under 30. This is a biopic about his entire life, right? Then why are people suggesting old timers like Clooney, Walhberg, Depp, etc.? Easier to make a younger person look older (see Decaprio in the Aviator) than vice-versa.
I didn’t even think of James Marsden, but he could do it. Give the guy a chance. He’s usually the best thing about his projects anyway. I don’t disagree that Chris Pine could pull it off too. So those two and Johnny Depp are my top choices.
The photo just reminds me of how utterly *awful* the test screening of “Public Enemies” that I saw was. Sad.
Regarding the lack of blue eyes – it’s no longer a problem to put that in with computers in post production. I think Depp is a great choice!
I fifth, sixth, or whatever JAMES MARSDEN!!!!
Whenever I’m watching a film and he comes on screen I know I’m in capable hands. I know my sister feels the same way. He is a great actor, looks right, has charisma, can bring humor, and can sing and dance – so even if its lip syncing it would be natural.
I also think that either Johnny or Leo would be distracting in the role because they are so well known themselves. James has been in big films, but he doesn’t bring much public persona. I think he could inhabit the role and knock it out of the park. I’m picturing each of the guys in a suit crooning and in a navy outfit – and James seems like Frank – young and old.
“Sinatra is the draw. This movie doesn’t need a big star to bring in an audience. I think hiring a major star will only distract from Sinatra (the movie will become about the big star playing Sinatra, not Sinatra himself.)”
This.
Franco is still “unknown” enough to not distract while not being completely unknown and making a studio nervous.
The casting of Ava Gardner in The Aviator couldn’t have been more wrong-headed. Judd is a supberb choice.
connor — that was true until Benjamin Button came along. The difficult of “youthing” in movies is a thing of the past.
Actually, it would be kinda cool if Scorsese hired Kate Beckinsale to play Ava Gardner….again.
James Franco is an inspired choice. Frank Sinatra was a compact man. Jim Carrey is too tall. Russell Crowe is too he-man looking.
Ava Garner should be played by Liv Tyler is she’s not taller than James Franco.
Like Brando was to the Godfather, Scoresese has the opportunity to define an actor for this generation. Looking forward to this flick.
Never understood the appeal of Sinatra.Good luck to Depp though.I have always liked his work.
More Leo! Leo for breakfast, Leo for lunch, and Leo for dinner. Put Leo in it – he has the prettiest blue eyes and he can play any role.
I’ve got to second the Jim Carey suggestion. He’s not the first (or second or third…) person that would come to mind but ever since Doing Time on Maple Drive I’ve wanted to see him do more serious work.