Leonardo DiCaprio might play Frank Sinatra

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It was only a matter of time. Martin Scorsese has teamed up with Universal Pictures to direct a biopic on the late Frank Sinatra. In the lead for the role is Leonardo DiCaprio, which would make sense considering that he has been in four of Scorsese’s last films: Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, and Shutter Island. Even Sinatra’s family has approved the film, including his daughter Tina.

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.

The process of acquiring the late entertainer’s life and particularly music rights was “very complicated, as you can imagine,” Schulman said, because of the multiple parties involved. “The responsibility we are taking on to tell his story — that would cause anyone to be very careful about who they grant these rights to,” she added. “Everyone knows that Marty Scorsese is a final-cut director. So there had to be a lot of trust that he would tell this story in a way that didn’t destroy (Sinatra’s) memory.”

Project marks the first bigscreen pic to be made about the Hoboken, N.J., native, whose life provided endless fodder for the gossip columnists because of his tumultuous love affairs, infamous friendships with the likes of President Kennedy and possible Mafia ties. Schulman described the story as an unconventional biopic that will touch on all phases of Sinatra’s life.

“My father had great admiration for the talent of the people he chose to work with, and the talented people who worked with my father had great admiration for him,” said Tina Sinatra. “It is personally pleasing to me that this paradigm continues with Marty Scorsese at the helm of the Sinatra film.”

[from Variety]

Leonardo DiCaprio has been out of the spotlight for quite a while. He’s a bit of a recluse as it is, and after his break up with Gisele he seems to have disappeared except for the big screen. He’s dating Bar Rafaeli, who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but that’s about it – until a week ago when we reported that Lindsay Lohan gave him a lapdance at a club. She seems to be good at tainting anyone in her path.

How do you feel about Leo DiCaprio playing Old Blue Eyes on screen? Do you think they look enough alike?

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22 Responses to “Leonardo DiCaprio might play Frank Sinatra”

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  1. ash says:

    I mean, he can pull off the look, like he did in the Aviator…but him singing? Or lipsyncing would be even weirder… I don’t know about that.

  2. Bubulle says:

    I like Leonardo DiCaprio as an actor but he will be so wrong as Sinatra. I mean not only he looks nothing like him but in addition he can’t sing. It is rumoured that the studio want actually Johnny Depp to play Sinatra he will be so much better.

  3. LAINEY says:

    As long as the actor is thin enough and call pull of macho with a touch of vulnerability. DiCaprio has it in him, Depp would be good too.

  4. mum mum says:

    Leo’s a great character actor, he’d be amazing in this role especially. Sinatra’s had such an amazing life- so maybe it won’t be as much a musical as it was for say, the Johnny Cash movie. In any case, I don’t think you can go wrong with casting Leo. He takes his job seriously and he becomes whomever he plays. (Anyone see him as Frank Wheeler!?)

  5. Spangel74 says:

    I vote Lee Pace.

  6. DiMi says:

    Harry Connick Jr. should play the part.

  7. Dingles says:

    DiCaprio doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the work he does, in my opinion. I think he makes perfect sense as Sinatra, although I am curious about how he would alter his voice (not for singing, just in general). This would definitely be an interesting movie.

  8. Orangejulius says:

    Why do they have to have him do the singing himself? Harry Connick Jr. would be perfect in so many ways. I’ve only seen him in a romcom, though, so don’t know if he has the acting chops. Leo definitely does.

  9. Kevin says:

    I’m gonna make a reach here,,,how about Matthew Lilard. I’m tired of the same old same olds getting all the work.

  10. Tanya says:

    Perfect!

  11. Bodhi says:

    I think Leo would be an awesome choice!

  12. Cari says:

    I’d definitely go see the movie with LD in it. The other choices mentioned though? Probably not. I think he would portray Frank perfectly!

  13. Maritza says:

    Harry Connick Jr. or even Marc Anthony would be better options than Dicaprio because they both sing very good and have more or less Sinatra’s body type.

  14. Casey says:

    I don’t think a lot of you really read the article. Since they are using Sinatra’s own recordings they do not need to find an actor that can sing. Harry Connick Jr. doesn’t have the acting ability to pull off a Martin Scorsese film, and neither does Matthew Lilard (although he does look enough like Sinatra) Johnny Depp is my all time favorite actor and although I would LOVE to watch him in yet another film, he’s just too out there, but he’s a great actor and might be able to pull it off.

    Leo has been in TONS of these kinds of films, he’s a safe choice, and although he’d have to really diet and alter his body for this role I think he could pull it off quite well.

  15. geronimo says:

    Yep, I’m with all the Leo fans. He could definitely pull a great Frank out of the bag. He’s one of those actors who seems to get more and more interesting as he gets older – real screen presence and edginess.

  16. Lola says:

    If anyone can pull it off, it’s Leo. Whatever part he takes, he becomes that part. I have no doubt that if they chose him to play FS, he will do it justice and I would love to hear him sing!

  17. Emma says:

    I would see it.

  18. debbie says:

    I think LD is a poor choice for this role. Im thinking they should give Michael Buble a shot at it

  19. AnonymicalAnalysis says:

    If they are going for looks, there is an actor named Dominic West who actually looks exactly like FRank. I think he would be good. I think James Franco definitely has a suave kind of demeanor which what is bascially going to be required. It’s also going to depend on what Scorsese is going to focus. This is no suprise to me, although it makes me very dissapointed, but I heard that Scorsese is going to focus on Frank’s so-called “ties to the mafia” If he decides to go that way, then it will certainly take away from the artist and the man. It would definitely hurt a lot of fans. But I think overall, Leo has this part. Clearly he can employ a wide range of techniques that are so sublte he is someone else. He’s incredible and he can do anything he puts his mind to. My money is on Leo and since Frank was in fact Eye-talian, then they should at least give the part to the person who is at least part Italian, Leo.

  20. allous says:

    yeup. Frank Sinatra memorabilia – ThisIsHollywood.com

    promo code – hollymega

  21. liv says:

    I. Love. Sinatra.
    I. Love. DiCaprio.
    I honestly believe that Leo will be very sexy when he lip syncs. Just the thought of him on a stage, dancing around gives me chills. Everything he does, is so amazing. But he will never ever play a role as amazing as Jack Dawson. I just watched Titanic… I watch it every weekend actually because I am an actress and I definitely use he and Kate to help me with techniques.

  22. Dennis says:

    I must confess that when I heard that DiCaprio and Depp were in the running for this role, I was a little doubtful about DiCaprio. Leonardo DiCaprio is my all time favorite actor but thought Johnny Depp deserves the part because of his singing abilities. However, it makes perfect sense to cast DiCaprio over Depp. DiCaprio is the most intense actor I have ever seen, even more so than Depp and I think he will be excellent in portraying Sinatra’s vulnerability. Nobody does biopics better than DiCaprio. Also, the Chemistry between he and Scorsess is excellent. Of their four collaborations, three films have been nominatied for Oscar Best Picture. Also, people have not seen him in a groovy mood in a while, and so if he pulls this off perfectly, he may attract many oscars for the film including Best Actor and Best Picture, Please, DiCaprio is perfect for the role and anyone who doubts him will be in for a shocker!!!