Martin Scorsese announces new film after previous two projects shelved

Martin Scorsese has received ten Oscar nominations a piece for his last two films, The Irishman (2019) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). They have been widely hailed by fans and critics alike, but they have not made it any easier for the director to secure funding on his next film.

Scorsese's plans to shoot a film about Jesus Christ, and then follow it up with a biopic about Frank Sinatra, have fallen through, with both films being delayed indefinitely. Fortunately, the director has announced plans to work on another project in the meantime: a concert film that will serve as a tribute to his late collaborator, Robbie Robertson.

Scorsese will direct and produce Life Is a Carnival

Variety confirmed that the concert, Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration Of Robbie Robertson, will take place on Thursday, October 17. Scorsese was already confirmed as a producer on the film, but it seems he has decided to take the directorial reins as well. He will stay on to produce alongside Jared Levine, Keith Wortman and Scooter Weintraub.

Robbie Robertson had a storied cinematic career, serving as the music supervisor of several Martin Scorsese films dating back to 1980. Robertson worked alongside Scorsese on Raging Bull, The King of Comedy (1983), The Color of Money (1986), Casino (1995), Gangs of New York (2002), and Shutter Island (2010). He also scored The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon, with the latter coming out after his death.

The tribute film will feature rock icons

Robertson, of course, rose to fame as part of the American-Canadian rock outfit The Band in the 1960s. Scorsese chronicled The Band's farewell concert in The Last Waltz (1978), which makes his decision to helm a film about Robertson's tribute concert especially fitting.

Some of the notable performers who will appear in the tribute film include Eric Clapton, Jim James, Daniel Lanois, Eric Church, Bruce Hornsby, Allison Russell, Mavis Staples, Van Morrison, Taj Mahal and Lucinda Williams.

The details surrounding the film's release date remain unclear. Plans for a streaming and/or theatrical release will surely come to light after production has wrapped on the concert itself.