Scorsese considers Liz Taylor, Richard Burton biopic

Famed director Martin Scorsese might be adding another project to his already loaded schedule. On top of releasing his first 3D film "Hugo Cabret" later this year, the director is now considering a film about actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Because of the recent death of Taylor, Paramount has optioned a biography regarding Taylor's on-and-off screen relationship with actor Richard Burton, and the studio has Scorsese in mind to direct. The producers of the film have already reached an agreement with Burton's estate and hope to get the same kind of cooperation from Taylor's as well.

For those who know little about the relationship between Taylor and Burton, it was was quite an explosive one and should make for an interesting piece of cinema. One could consider them the "Brangelina"of the 1960/1970s, as their romance created quite a lot of fodder for tabloids. (via The Guardian)

Scorsese goes 3D with next film

The 3D craziness continues, and the latest filmmaker to join the madness is Martin Scorsese. Variety says the maestro will shoot his next film, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," in 3D. Based on Brian Selznick children's book, the film follows the story of a 12-year-old living in the walls of a Paris train station. John Logan wrote the screenplay, the film will open Dec. 9, 2011, and the cast includes Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Cool! Hit Girl to star in Martin Scorsese's next!

It looks like the cast for Martin Scorsese's upcoming film "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" is growing fast. Yesterday Deadline New York reported that Ben Kingsley and Sach Baron Cohen joined the big-screen adaptation of the Brian Selznick children's book, and today, Mike Fleming says Chloe Moretz (who stars as the super awesome Hit Girl in "Kick-Ass") and Asa Butterfield have been cast as the kids in the movie. That is awesome news, of course.

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Kingsley, Cohen to board Scorsese's next

Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Cohen may end up starring in Martin Scorsese's next project "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," according to Deadline New York's Mile Fleming. The film is based on the children's book by Brian Selznick and follows a 12-year-old living in the walls of a Paris train station.

Word is Kingsley will play filmmaker George Melies, with Cohen stepping into the role of a station inspector. Kingsley, of course, can now be seen in Scorsese's "Shutter Island." He has "Prince of Persia" coming soon. Cohen last starred in "Bruno." Looking forward to Martin helming a kid flick. How about you?

Movie Review: “Shutter Island”

Seen on: February 16, 2010

The players: Director: Martin Scorsese, Writer: Laeta Kalogridis, Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow

Facts of interest: Based on the book by Dennis Lehane.

The plot: Two marshals travel to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a prisoner from the mental institution, but neither of them is ready to face what really happened there.

Our thoughts: Martin Scorsese’s psychological mystery thriller “Shutter Island” is by far not a masterpiece, but the film’s creepy atmosphere, compelling characters, outstanding technical credits and fabulous cast definitely help overshadow some of its rather obvious story flaws. Although no Scorsese classic, “Shutter Island” is still worth a trip to the multiplex.

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'Shutter Island' on track for successful weekend

Official estimates won't be out for a couples of hours, but it looks like Martin Scorsese's new flick "Shutter Island" is already doing pretty well at the North American box office. Deadline Hollywood reports the thriller may have bagged a solid $13.5 million Friday.

"Island," based on the book by Dennis Lehane, is now playing at 2,991 locations. The film could make more than $30 million this weekend, for sure. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a marshal investigating the disappearance of a prisoner at a remote mental institution.

According to these early estimates, "Shutter Island" will easily beat the $26 million opening gross of "The Departed." Additionally, the budget of "Island" is estimated at $75 million, which means the movie has a good shot at bringing in more than that in the next couple of weeks.

Rumor alert: Scorsese to remake 'Taxi Driver' in collaboration with Lars von Trier? Huh?

The good old rumor machine is on fire today. The Web is buzzing about a story no one really believes at this point. That said, you never know what these crazy filmmakers are up to, so let's see what happens.

Anyway, here it is: word is Martin Scorsese may be gearing up to develop some sort of "Taxi Driver" remake project. And get this: Lars von Trier may be involved somehow as well. Sounds weird, right?

Well, maybe, but we shouldn't panic quite yet. As various news articles and Variety point out, the project could follow the structure of von Trier's excellent documentary "Five Obstructions" from 2003.

In that film, von Trier challenged his buddy Jorgen Leth to go out and remake his film "The Perfect Human" five times. The plan was to give Leth new obstacles to overcome each time. It worked beautifully.

So, will von Trier challenge Scorsese to remake 1976's "Taxi Driver" a couple of times in short versions? If that's the idea, I'm all for it. If the idea is to remake the whole movie as a feature, well... I don't know...

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Big film news update: Madonna directs again; Scorsese to team with De Niro & more...

Lots of film news going on right now, and here is the latest from around the Web:

- Madonna is stepping behind the camera again, as she gets ready to direct "W.E.," a period piece centering on King Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson. Madonna is penning the script with Alex Keshishian. Madonna also helmed "Filth and Wisdom." (Variety)

- How about this? Martin Scorsese plans a mobster flick with Robert De Niro. "There's no doubt about that. We're working on something like that, but it's from the vantage point of older men looking back, none of this running around stuff," the master said at the Berlin Film Festival. Woohoo! (Reuters)

- Mike Newell, who has "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" coming up, will write and helm a film about the death of ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium-210 several years ago. The project is based on the book "The Terminal Spy" by Alan Cowell. (Variety)

- "Season of the Witch" won't kick off in March, as originally planned. Lionsgate announced it would pull the Nicolas Cage flick for now. A new date hasn't been set yet. In the film, a group of knights escort a girl suspected of being a nasty witch who apparently digs the Black Plague. (Variety)

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Super Bowl spots for 'Robin Hood' & 'Shutter Island'

Super Bowl Sunday is on its way, and we've already seen a spot for "The Last Airbender." If you don't want to wait for Sunday, you can now also check out these new spots for "Robin Hood" and "Shutter Island."

Here is a great 45-second spot for Ridley Scott's "Hood," a film starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Danny Huston, Max von Sydow and Mark Strong. The film is due in theaters May 14, 2010.

"Robin Hood" chronicles the life of the famous expert archer who travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the widow Lady Marion.

Following is also a new spot for Martin Scorsese's upcoming mystery thriller "Shutter Island," about two marshals investigating the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from an island’s hospital.

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Feature trailer for 'Shutter Island' now online

A new trailer for Martin Scorsese's upcoming mystery thriller "Shutter Island" has officially hit the Web, and it's just as good as its predecessor. It's similar, but it also features a bit of new footage. Check it out below.

In the film, two marshals are sent to a remote, barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

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