MUMBAI: Universal Pictures has acquired the feature film project Sinatra from Mandalay Pictures, which will be directed by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese.
Oscar nominated screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson is writing the screenplay for Sinatra based on the life of the iconic entertainer. Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures have been developing the project, after securing the Frank Sinatra life rights and music rights from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE) – a joint venture of the Sinatra Estate and Warner Music Group.
"We have dreamt of making a movie about Frank Sinatra, and Marty Scorsese is undeniably the perfect vision keeper for this project," said Mandalay Entertainment Group chairman Peter Guber.
Mandalay Pictures president Cathy Schulman added, "In addition to our excitement at having Marty in the director’s chair, we are thrilled to be in business with Universal, the Sinatra estate, Warner Music Group and the talented Phil Alden Robinson on this project about one of our greatest entertainers."
"It’s an honor to be involved in this film which will celebrate the amazing life and work of Frank Sinatra. With Phil Alden Robinson writing the screenplay and Martin Scorsese at the helm, we know that this first feature motion picture adaptation of Sinatra’s extraordinary life is in the best of hands," said Universal Pictures president of production Donna Langley.
"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. It is personally pleasing to me that this paradigm continues with Marty Scorsese at the helm of the Sinatra film," said Tina Sinatra.
Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1915. Over the course of his career, he performed on more than 1,400 musical recordings, was awarded 31 gold records, and received 10 Grammy Awards in addition to three special honors bestowed upon him by the Recording Industry Association of America. He appeared in 58 films winning three Oscars and two Golden Globe awards, in addition to a lifelong legacy of humanitarian work.
Guber and Schulman will produce the film for Mandalay Pictures with Scorsese producing on behalf of Sikelia Productions.
