Is Martin Scorsese retiring? Killers of the Flower Moon director debunks rumors and claims he has more movies to make

Martin Scorsese, the iconic filmmaker behind Killers of the Flower Moon, has clarified that retirement is not on his agenda. Despite recent reports suggesting that he may be slowing down, the 81-year-old director dispelled these rumors during a press conference in Italy on October 7, 2024.

While receiving an award from the country's Museum of Cinema in Turin, Scorsese addressed the rumors about his career, emphasizing that he still has more stories to tell.

"I'm not saying goodbye to cinema at all," Scorsese told reporters, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I still have more films to make, and I hope God gives me the strength to make them."

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Martin Scorsese postpones Sinatra biopic

The retirement rumors started when Variety announced on September 24 that Scorsese had put two big films in production on hold. It includes Frank Sinatra's biopic, which was expected to star Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence as his second wife, Ava Gardner.

The second was The Life of Jesus a film about the life of Jesus Christ, which was supposed to start shooting in parallel with Life alongside in 2024. According to Variety, the Sinatra project was officially canceled, while The Life of Jesus remains in development, though the timeline for both films is currently unclear.

Adding to the uncertainty, Variety also noted that the Sinatra biopic's progress may have been impacted by estate control, as Frank Sinatra's daughter, Tina Sinatra, 75, holds control over his legacy. Approval from the Sinatra estate has not yet been confirmed.

In contrast to the rumors of retirement, Martin Scorsese revealed during the press conference that he is actively working on a new documentary about marine archaeology. This documentary, a co-production with the Sicilian region of Italy, explores the research of underwater archaeologist Lisa Briggs.

The research project, known as Shipwreck of Sicily, analyzes DNA found on ancient artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, shedding light on ancient maritime civilizations.

This latest documentary adds to Martin Scorsese's expansive filmography, demonstrating his continuous passion for filmmaking. He recently directed Killers of the Flower Moon, which was released in October 2023. The film brought together longtime collaborators Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, along with Lily Gladstone and Jesse Plemons.

Earlier this year, Martin Scorsese directed a short film starring Timothee Chalamet for the French fashion brand Chanel, further showcasing his active role in the industry.

For most of Scorsese's new projects, documentaries are now his primary genre, but the future of his delayed movies is unclear. Audiences are left with the question of when Scorsese will return with The Life of Jesus and the Sinatra biopic. Although no specific deadlines are expected, looking at Scorsese's past projects, one can predict that his hands will be full of immediate projects.

During his appearance in Turin, Martin Scorsese also reflected on the future of cinema, offering a glimpse of his perspective on how technology might shape storytelling.

"Maybe one day we'll experience films through a chip implanted in our heads," he mused. "Imagine 'Orlando Furioso' or 'Hamlet' in virtual reality. You'd see the Prince of Denmark right in front of you as if he were real."

Despite these technological advances, Martin Scorsese stressed the enduring power of storytelling.

"No matter the technology, one thing will always matter: Can you communicate something? Can you tell a story? Stories help us understand who we are."

At 81, Martin Scorsese shows no signs of stepping away from the director's chair. With multiple projects in development and a clear passion for storytelling, the legendary filmmaker is far from finished.

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