Film director Martin Scorsese put rumors of retiring to rest recently. The 81-year-old director spoke at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy. There, he addressed speculation about stepping away from filmmaking.
“I have no plans to retire,” Scorsese stated clearly. The acclaimed director wants to continue creating movies. His comments come after two upcoming projects were delayed. But Scorsese explained the projects are still in development with adjusted timelines.
Some wondered if Scorsese would retire after a biopic on singer Frank Sinatra and a film about Jesus were postponed. The Sinatra movie has been in development for 15 years. It may star Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence as Ava Gardner. Securing rights from Sinatra’s estate has caused challenges.
As for the Jesus film, Scorsese said “I am working on it.” He wants to bring a unique perspective inspired by his Catholic upbringing in New York. At a February event, he noted the film’s type is undecided but could be thought-provoking and entertaining.
Scorsese’s latest movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” was released last year. The three-and-a-half hour epic shows he can still tackle ambitious large-scale films at age 81. Throughout his nearly 60-year career, Scorsese has covered diverse topics from crime to history to religion. He often depicts real-life figures like Howard Hughes, Jake LaMotta and Jordan Belfort.
In speaking in Turin, Scorsese expressed his ongoing passion for cinema and desire to keep creating films. His statement serves as a reminder of his dedication to the art of filmmaking despite challenges of age. Fans and critics look forward to what more Scorsese will accomplish in the years ahead.