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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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Johnny Depp is the perfect choice among today’s actors. He has the range and the depth to pull this performance off. Like Sinatra, he is the complete artist who always stays true to self. He even commented on Sinatra’s artisty within days of Sinatra’s death while he (Depp) was at Cannes that year.
Depp can do anything and the hardest part might be playing the most iconic of all musical acts (along with Elvis), but he can do it.
But what about the blue eyes???
Same old, same old merry go round of faces, Studios keep thinking a star guarantees box office. And it never does. A well made film is what guarantees box office. This would’ve been a great film for an unknown. Audiences are sick of the same people over and over. At least he’s better than insipid DiCaprio.
Reason enough indeed! I hope the deal gets done.
I’m sure Depp would be a shoein for an Oscar.
Hmmmmm….both good choices. I would love to see a Scorsese / Depp collaboration but the choice should be Scorsese’s. I think he’s earned the credentials to choose his own leading men.
This might sound bizarre but Jim Carrey would do brilliantly in this role – when he isn’t doing his annoying schtick, I don’t think there’s a better actor in Hollywood. He also hasn’t done any films like this – it would bring something fresh to the role. As much as I like Johnny Depp, something feels wrong about him in the role.
Same ol’ same ol’. The casting of Frank Sinatra SHOULD be someone with identical eyes and body features. This actor needs to be able to have the highest quality performance in singing. Music and singing is a high priority when casting the role of Frank Sinatra. I think some shopping around for the right person is better and not quickly rush to fill the role with someone for whatever reasons.
I am hesitant to say that Johnny Depp or Leonardo DiCaprio would make the BEST fit for this film. Take your time Mr. Scorsese and Universal.
Johnny Depp can do anything.
I also think Russell Crowe would be good.
Depends on the script.
If offered the role, I can not see how Depp would turn it down.
But the best person for the job is James Marsden. He looks like Sinatra, has his build, his eyes… and is a smashingly good singer.
got a bad feeling about this.
Johnny would be a great choice (contacts for the eyes). Leo would be horrible…he has a round moon face with a slight double chin. He’s also too tall. Sinatra was small, slight of build, like Johnny.
I like Dicaprio fine. He’s a focused and dedicated actor who just gets better year after year. Having said that I think he’s a terrible choice for Frank Sinatra. Depp, slightly better. I wouldn’t mind seeing them throw a curverball our way and shoot for someone else. I’m getting kind of tired of seeing the same people play these historical figures every year. Dicaprio still wants to play Teddy Roosevelt and I’d muc rather see another face take that one.
James Franco!
Do it, Marty! Depp is one of the best actors of this generation. I would love to see what the two of them could do together.
If he can pull off SWEENEY TODD…and he did…
Depp is the guy.
Here’s one of those rare instances where I hope the studio gets its way. Leonard DiCaprio fails to resonate for me when playing adult men. He just doesn’t have gravitas — even the 30-something version.
Johnny Depp would be great.
Contacs are the answer for the blue eyes. I agree that an unknown could pull this off well, but Depp is a chameleon and I literally cannot think of a better actor for this role.
James Franco has the ability and he is unknown enough – at least next to Depp. He’s already played one icon (James Dean) though. He also may be too tall, but in the end it will be story and performance.
When I first heard the movie was a go, it took me like 1 nanosecond to determine Johnny would play the part. Jamie Foxx for Sammy Davis Jr. Am I the only one who thinks Lena Headey would be a perfect Eva Gardner?
harry connick, jr??? anyone??? hello???
Depp would be perfect. Better than anyone else.
Yawn is dead on. A star gets a movie made, because all the execs desperately want to hang out with them and feel cool. But they can’t make the film a dollar unless the actual product is good. Reason #10,000 why stars hang around for a while but execs are shuffled in and out like wastepaper.
James Franco, James Franco, James Franco. Especially since he doesn’t have to sing. Depp looks nothing like Sinatra. James Franco would be perfect!
Depp is a versatile actor so he can certainly pull it off and blue contacts would fix the ‘eye issue’!
Sinatra’s story, persona, and legacy IS the star of this film. If Uni, Peter and Marty are smart, they will package this with “names” in the supporting roles and an “unknown” as the man, himself.
take a look at jimmy roselli from uk i believe..listen on u tube to THERE MUST BE A WAY
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.
The perfect choice to play Sinatra as a young teen would be Sterling Beaumon. the kid is an amazing singer and actor with perfect blue eyes. Just saw a clip of him on the View and see he is in a musical in LA and it is about his 20th musical
Depp is my choice, but what about Mark Ruffalo?
THE EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sinatra had gorgeous blue eyes!! Will they put lenses on that poor Johnny? It’s SO wrong!
Who will be next? Katherine Heigl as Ava Gardner???
Interesting how difficult it is to pinpoint any of our current leading men as having sufficient charisma to play a Star.
I will not be buying a ticket.
I can’t believe no one is saying this one…I personally think that Matt Damon is the best choice for Sinatra. He has ‘the look’ better than any other actor named. He has the eyes, face and size… It’s so obvious that I just can’t believe no one else is saying it.
That would be a bad choice if they go with Johnny Depp because he looks nothing like Frank Sinatra. The studio should go for an unknown because there is nobody I see that can play Frank Sinatra. Now for one member of the Rat Pack I could see as Sammy Davis Junior is Tommy Davidson from In Living Color a perfect choice because he looks like Sammy. You someone who either looks like Sinatra or put on makeup for another actor to look like Sinatra those are the only two ways. And please don’t get Leonardo either because he doesn’t look like Frank Sinatra at all.
Johnny Depp would be a great Frank
Catherine Zeta-Jones if she gains a few pounds would be a great AVA.
Janice Dickinson should be in just because.
Vanessa Williams would be a great Lola Falana,Sammy’s
girlfriend and Columbus Short would make a great Sammy.
Katherine Heigl would be Franks last wife.
Here we go again, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the best choice out there. Depp is good but too over exposed, must he be cast in every movie. Russell Crowe can play Jilly not Frank! Zeta Jones or Judd would be good as Ava, Marcia Gay Harden as Dolly Sinatra, Mickey Rourke as Jilly.
This is a mistake. It’s already been done for a TV movie and the actor who played Sinatra was a VERY GOOD look-a-like. I can’t remember his name but it was a VERY GOOD TV movie. I say, leave it alone. None of the actors mentioned would fit the bill for ole Frankie except maybe Harry Connick, jr. As much as I like Franco & Depp I cannot see them in this role. DeCaprio is also a very good actor but he doesn’t fit the bill for a Sinatra either. JMO.
Hype by Universal to stir interest in Public Enemies and the Sinatra concept? I can’t imaging Depp would want to play Sinatra – after all, he just played a suave, charming gangster. Leo would need to lose a few lbs. Harry Connick Jr sounds good for Sinatra. More interesting: who would play Depp in the JD story?
I love Frank Sinatra so please please please, DO NOT use DiCaprio. I think the part should almost be played by someone not so well-known. Same faces get boring and this is a huge part. Its FRANK!!
HARRY CONNICK JR
He’s sung the songs of that era (including Sinatra) for a long time now with his orchestra. He IS the modern day version of Sinatra. Who better to play him? He’s got that era in his soul. Makeup artists can make anybody resemble somebody else. Nobody else would know Sinatra better and he can act already.
HARRY CONNICK JR!!!
HARRY CONNICK JR!!!
HARRY CONNICK JR!!!
Everytime I ever saw Marc Anthony I felt if they ever made a movie about Sinatra’s life he should play him. The gauntness and the haunted look in his eyes. He was not bad in Man On Fire. He really is a dead ringer for a young Sinatra.
Old brown eyes? Me thinks not. As much as I love Johnny Depp, I do believe his Johnny Deppness would eclipse and likeness to Sinatra.
In short, Depp as Sinatra would be the worst miscast since Kevin Costner as Robinhood. I promised myself I would get better at blocking that out.
A couple of people mentioned Vince Vaughn…is this a serious suggestion? He’s about 6′4″ and weighs about 275. Sinatra was 5′7″ and was about 140 pounds on a good day. Jim Carrey would also need to chop about 7 or 8 inches off his height.
I didn’t think of Marc Anthony he would be a great choice and a very good actor. Taraji Henson
would be a great wife for Sammy. Vince Vaughn would have to be a body guard at 6′4 he is a wee bit tall
for Frank but it would be fun to see him he is one of my favorite actors.
Marc Anthony is an interesting choice, but he has already played Hector Lavoe. I’m gonna have to go with Johnny on this one. He has the right body type, and I’m pretty sure he can do the Sinatra speaking voice. I think part of the success of this film will depend on the speaking voice of the actor (since, evidently, he won’t be required to sing). I admire Leo, but I sometimes can’t get past his speaking voice. Same with James Franco. I want Scorcese’s Sinatra to sound manly and baddass the way Frank did when he spoke.
d’accord, Alesia–the speaking voice HAS to match the singing voice. The question is probably moot anyway, at least as it pertains to Depp–some bloggers are now reporting that his agent has denied any truth to the rumors (big surprise). Kudos to the studios for wringing free publicity for their project out of Nikki Finke. And of course attaching Depp’s name to anything causes a feeding frenzy.
Zachary Quinto could really kill this in my opinion, slap some contacts on that man, fix the brows and make it work. Ava could be played by Liv Tyler or maybe Natalie Portman….
Jonathan Rhys-Myers would do a good job. And he can sing, but that won’t be necessary for this movie. I love Depp and Leo, but neither one of the strikes me as good casting for Sinatra and they are getting a bit over-exposed. Time to give some lesser known talent a chance.
Johnny Depp would be a great Sinatra. There isn’t much he can’t do as an actor. Both Catherine Zeta-Jones or Ashley Judd would be “good” choices but neither conjures up the gorgeous wildness that Ava Gardner embodied. Angelina Jolie’s got that vibe but I’m not sure…
How about Vincent Kartheiser; an unknown who has blue eyes and is the same body type as Frank. Scorsese should work with less movie stars and more actors. His Dicaprio period has been dreary.
My vote is for Ryan Gosling.
I know he’s not an actor, but has anyone considered Michael Buble?
Cast an actor that’sall I ask, an actor.
And they’re insane if they don’t cast Evan Rachel Wood as Mia Farrow.
Ava Gardner…I have no idea. She was a Goddess.
The poster named “Yawn”, as well as all other posters who believe that A-list actors, or constant re-appearing actors like DiCaprio and Depp need to stay away from motion pictures like this: Your dumb. Your a dullard and your attempt at trying to be a cool anti-conformatists? It fails. There is a reason why DiCaprio and Depp are used more than any other actors in (quality) films, and that reason is that they’re damn good actors who can each pull off an extremely long list of exremely wide-ranged roles! DiCaprio has mastered the craft of accents, and Depp (though he has been casted poorly a few times since Secret Window) applies a jaw-dropping ammount of passion and dedication to both the preparation and to the execution of his roles.
Depp has masterpieces like Secret Window, Ed Scissorhands, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Sleepy Hollow, Donnie Brasco, Fear and Loathing, Finding Neverland, Blow and Ed Wood.
Leo has visual symphonies such as Blood Diamond, Aviator, The Departed, Gangs of New York and Revolutionary Road! His improvment since Titanic is astonishing when you just watch his newer films with the knowledge of his age and the duration of his (so far) short career.
Both of them are amazing and I support the continued use of their amazing talents. People complained and continued to complain when Scorsese casted DeNiro over and over and over in a span of time, those films being: ‘Cape Fear’, ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Casino’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Mean Streets’, and ‘King of Comedy’! That’s six movies with the same lead actor and director, and now? No one complains, they’re all fucking classics.
I think johnny depp would be a great choice because he is so versatile and colored contacts and hairstyle people can change his image ,He is an excellant choice
Maybe they can digitally restore Frank’s face over an actor.They did it in Benjamin Button..they can do it again.
what is going on right now it’s funny when someone has the look alike Sinatra 1947 looks 2009 into myspace tonysinatra and now the world would know
Matt Le Blanc would be a great Sinatra for the sheer point of actually looking like him, if they’re gonna use Sinatra’s voice (thank Christ), then you don’t have to worry about Le Blanc jumping in with an encore from ‘Frued’ the Musical.
JAMES MARSDEN ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE WOULD BE PERFECT
Johnny Depp is multi-talented. James Mardsen perhaps..but probably not.
James Marsden would be the best!
http://schwul-und-liberal.blogspot.com/2009/10/james-marsden-als-frank-sinatra-ware.html