After successfully teaming up for Oscar-grabbing crime drama remake The Departed, Martin Scorsese and writer William Monahan are looking to reunite for another reboot, with plans to make a new version of 1974 pic The Gambler.
And, if they and studio backers Paramount get their way, it could feature even more talent from T****he Departed, as Scorsese and co are after Leonardo DiCaprio to nab the central role.
The part, of an English professor living and working in New York who provides an inspirational figure to his students even as he battles a serious addiction to gambling and the risks that brings, was originally played by James Caan, who nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
There’s no word on what changes the Departed duo might make to the film, though given who’s involved, we figure they’ll maintain the grit and tragedy and simply update the time period. Plus, it’s a chance for Scorsese to once more work in his beloved New York.
DiCaprio has been approached, though according to the Hollywood Reporter, there’s no deal in place just yet. We doubt Scorsese will have much trouble convincing his regular muse to jump aboard, though – especially with Monahan on writing duties. According to Deadline, however, original scriptwriter James Toback is not best pleased with the idea…
Scheduling might be more of an issue for Scorsese and co, since this will just be the latest film in development for the director. He has Hugo about to hit cinemas this year and he’s gearing up to make novel adaptation Silence. Oh, and he and DiCaprio also have The Wolf of Wall Street working its way through the script process.