Music has long played a very important role in Martin Scorsese's career. Whether it's the memorable uses of songs like Eric Clapton's "Layla" or "I’m Shipping Up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys in features like Goodfellas and The Departed or concert documentaries he's helmed like The Last Waltz and Shine A Light, the filmmaker has long found a way to bring the two mediums into harmonious sync. It's for this reason that we're not at all shocked by what's being proposed as Scorsese's next project after the religious period drama Silence.
Billboard has it on good authority that Martin Scorsese is in the early process of trying to make a movie about The Ramones, the legendary punk band. While things appear to still be in the early stages, Jeff Jampol and Dave Frey - the co-managers of the band's estate - are working to plan a big celebration of The Ramones' legacy for 2016, which will mark the 40th anniversary of the group's first record. It's worth noting that Silence isn't expected to come out until some time next year, and that Scorsese isn't exactly one to rush projects along.
First coming together in the mid-1970s in New York City, The Ramones originally consisted of lead singer Joey, guitarist Johnny, drummer Tommy and bassist Dee Dee. They all took the last name "Ramone," but none of them were actually related to one another. Between 1976 and 1995 the band released 14 studio albums and were well known for constantly touring and playing live shows. All four of the original members have passed away, Tommy Ramone dying from bile duct cancer earlier this summer. Some of their most memorable tracks include "Blitzkrieg Bop," "I Wanna Be Sedated," "Rock 'n Roll High School," and "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker."Billboard adds that in addition to a biopic there is also a documentary, a theatrical play, and a book in the works commemorating the band.
While Scorsese is now 71 years old and has mentioned the inevitability of retirement, that still seems like it could be a long way off for the filmmaker. In addition to Silence, he has also long been talking about making a Frank Sinatra biopic and has spent many years planning his reunion with Robert De Niro on The Irishman a.k.a. I Heard You Paint Houses. When you consider how much incredible energy is in the director's last work, The Wolf of Wall Street, it's really hard to imagine him ever giving up the business for good.
Giving his background in music, do you think Martin Scorsese is a good fit for helming a Ramones biopic? Who would you like to see star as the members of the band? Tell us what you're thinking in the comments section below.
