It was only a matter of time before Martin Scorsese returned to the big screen (and, subsequently, the small screen, too). The revered Oscar-winning filmmaker found his follow-up to The Irishman with Killers of the Flower Moon, another period drama that'll be co-produced between Paramount Pictures and Apple TV+. The expensive epic will be yet another daunting task for the Academy Award winner, but the legendary veteran movie maker loves a challenge.
Set to star Jesse Plemons, Robert De Niro, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who'll also produce, there are many reasons to look forward to Scorcese's next spin in the director's chair, and we're here to tell you what we know about this upcoming book-to-screen adaptation. Here's the latest on Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon!
What Is The Killers Of The Flower Moon Release Date?
In March 2023, Variety reported that the theatrical rollout for Killers of the Flower Moon will get underway with a wide release on October 20th.
The true crime movie will eventually join the ranks of other Apple TV+ original movies, but neither Apple nor Paramount Pictures have revealed exactly when that will happen. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a matter of when, instead of if, as Apple TV is co-producing Scorsese’s latest epic.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, And Jesse Plemons Lead The Killers Of A Flower Moon Cast
The Killers of the Flower Moon cast could very well be one of the best greatest groups of actors ever assembled for a Martin Scrorsese production, which is quite a statement considering the top-notch talent in the filmmaker’s body of work. Leading things off is Leonardo DiCaprio, who will take on the role of Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of the powerful rancher William Hale, played by Robert De Niro, according to Vanity Fair. The two long-time collaborators with Scorsese will also share the screen with Jesse Plemons, who will take on the role of police officer Tom White, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Plemons has been on the rise the past decade, including a memorable performance in Scorsese’s most recent picture, The Irishman, in 2019.
Even outside of the top three, the movie features an incredible cast, including Lily Gladstone, Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow, and musicians Jack White, Jason Isbell, and Sturgill Simpson. And, that’s just the beginning of the list…
The Killers Of The Flower Moon Trailer Is Full Of Greed, Violence And Mystery
After what seemed like years of hearing about the movie, and seeing a handful of still photos from the production, we finally get to see a piece of the action with the Killers of the Flower Moon trailer in May 2023. This short teaser is full of greed, violence, and mystery surroudning the murder of severl high-ranking Osage tribe members and the FBI investigation into the crimes.
The trailer, which includes some cryptic narration by Leonardo DiCaprio, also introduces several members of the movie's all-star cast and the characters they will play throughout this epic historical drama.
Killers Of The Flower Moon Centers On The Murders Of Several Members Of The Osage Tribe
This film will follow the mysterious murders of members of the Osage tribe in the 1920s, which sparked a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover, as well as local lawmen, trying to make sense of the brutal crimes. Promising to be another expansive historical account, Scorsese doesn't ever keep things simple.
Killers Of The Flower Moon Is Based On The Book By David Grann
Based on the non-fiction book, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, written by David Grann, the newest film from director Martin Scorsese will follow the investigations of a series of murders of wealthy people in Osage County, Oklahoma in the early 1920s.
Best known as the author behind The Lost City of Z, which inspired the acclaimed film of the same name in 2017, Grann has a journalistic career exploring obsessive personalities and the lengths they'll go to uncover the truth. Certainly, David Grann's well-acclaimed Killers of the Flower Moon follows that tradition, and it's easy to see how screenwriter Eric Roth (Munich) was inspired to tell this tale — though he was met with his decent share of challenges in bringing it to the screen. Nevertheless, if the movie follows the book's success, it should be another winner for both the director and the Oscar-winning screenwriter.
Martin Scorsese And Leonardo DiCaprio Consulted With Osage Cultural Leaders In Preparation For This New Movie
As their movie finally moves forward after an extended pre-production process, Scorsese and DiCaprio reached out to the Osage community to gain feedback. As Osage News reported in February 2021, the collaborators met with Osage cultural leaders at the Woolaroc wildlife preserve and museum to discuss the project, their intentions with this story, and what they hope to accomplish with it.
As it was reported, Scorsese "spoke of his plan to include details of Osage culture to paint a full, truthful picture of the time and the people." Additionally, he and his team were "working with advisors from the community" as they "plan to engage with more as the preparation work gets seriously underway.” Details remain limited, especially since everyone signed an NDA, but "several members of the community spoke, sharing their concerns, stories, and thoughts," while DiCaprio asked several questions which sparked "thoughtful conversation" that will inform his work.
Killers Of The Flower Moon’s Budget Is Reported To Be Over $200 Million
Scorsese doesn't work on the cheap. For the past decade or so, the Oscar-winning filmmaker has made films with budgets that range from $50 million (Silence) to $225 million-plus (The Irishman). Now, the director will make one of his priciest movies yet with Killers of the Flower Moon, which reportedly cost upwards of $200 million.
As you'd expect, this humongous budget — especially in an era where studios are hesitant to green-light movies that don't feature famous superhero characters — made several executives balk, though Apple TV+ agreed to foot the bill alongside Paramount Pictures. It's not clear why the budget is so sizable. It's a lavish period piece, but it's otherwise unclear why he had such a hefty receipt. Nevertheless, now that Apple TV+ gave it the go, Scorsese has the funds to get his next project to theaters around the world.
Expect to hear much more about Killers of the Flower Moon in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out CinemaBlend’s 2023 movie schedule to see what will be coming out before and after the latest film from Martin Scorsese.
