Published at 12:00 PM on May 16, 2008

By David Marek

It Had to Be You: Scorsese to direct Sinatra biopic

Start spreadin' the news. The famed but only recently Oscar-fied director Martin Scorsese is tentatively slated to direct an upcoming biopic on none other than Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. In an interview with Canada's Sun Media, Sinatra's youngest daughter and film producer Tina Sinatra spilled the beans on the project, stating that Scorsese is slated to helm the upcoming Universal Pictures film on the life and the times of America's greatest heartthrob. (Sorry, Elvis. You too, JT.) Tina also acknowledged that it is still is a little too early to officially announce the famed director's involvement in the project but went on to say, "Oh, go ahead and print it, I don't care!" No problem, Tina. No problem.

Although Scorsese is famous for his graphic depictions of mafia violence, Tina Sinatra was careful to emphasize that this film was going to set the record straight on her father's alleged involvement with underworld figures.

"[Tina] Sinatra, who also produced the 1992 mini-series, Sinatra, said Scorsese is in a reflective period and is willing to present the truth about her father, who died on May 14, 1998.

That means dismissing scurrilous rumours that Sinatra was a stooge for the Mafia, Tina Sinatra said. Borrowing a metaphor from her father's own words, Sinatra said, "He never drove the getaway car." So, in the forthcoming Universal Pictures film, "I don't want him to be driving the getaway car. That would not be fair. But I trust him (Scorsese) implicitly."

Guess that means we shouldn't expect the Chairman of the Board to be toting any tommy guns in the film.

However, we may have to wait a while for the film to begin production. Scorsese is currently working on the adaptation of Shutter Island, a documentary on Bob Marley, and an untitled George Harrison documentary. Still, it's not to early to start speculating on casting decisions. What actor could possibly portray Sinatra's depression during the recording of In the Wee Small Hours? Wouldn't Don Cheadle be a perfect Sammy Davis Jr.?  Or maybe George Clooney as Peter Lawford? Feel free to speculate in the comments. 

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