Leonardo DiCaprio Set to Portray Frank Sinatra in Upcoming Martin Scorsese Biopic

There are strong indications that Leonardo DiCaprio is in line to star as Frank Sinatra in an upcoming biographical film helmed by his frequent collaborator, Martin Scorsese.

The 49-year-old Oscar winner, who previously worked with the 81-year-old Scorsese on the acclaimed movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” in 2023, is rumored to take on the role of Sinatra alongside Jennifer Lawrence portraying the legendary singer's second spouse, actress Ava Gardner according to reports from Variety.

DiCaprio and Lawrence, both Academy Award winners themselves, shared the screen in the 2021 film “Don't Look Up.”

This potential film project has garnered significant attention from major film studios and streaming platforms, with Sony emerging as a leading contender to secure the production rights.

Tina Sinatra, daughter of Frank Sinatra, who was formerly married to Nancy Barbato before his relationship with Gardner, holds authority over Sinatra's legacy and has yet to give her approval for the proposed movie.

Ava Gardner, a prominent figure in Hollywood during her time, crossed paths with Frank Sinatra in 1943, eventually tying the knot in 1951, marking the beginning of a tumultuous marriage between the two.

DiCaprio and Scorsese have built a longstanding partnership in the film industry, collaborating on various projects since 2002, including notable works such as “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” “The Departed,” “Shutter Island,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Audition,” and most recently, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

In the latter film, DiCaprio portrayed Ernest Burkhart, who became involved in a complex narrative set in Fairfax, Oklahoma, marrying Mollie Kyle, played by Lily Gladstone, under the direction of his uncle, William Hale, depicted by Robert De Niro.

Throughout the making of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese and his team collaborated closely with Osage Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and numerous members of the Osage community, as noted by the director's consulting producer Chad Renfro.

For DiCaprio, this project marked his return to the big screen after a hiatus following his appearance in Quentin Tarantino's “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” in 2019.

Ava Gardner, who was at the peak of her stardom in Hollywood, initially encountered Frank Sinatra in 1943, leading to a series of events culminating in their marriage in 1951.

Before Sinatra and Gardner's union, the singer had been married to Nancy Barbato, with whom he started a family before transitioning into a successful career in film and music.

However, Sinatra's infidelities were not limited to his relationship with Gardner, as their connection blossomed while he was still in a committed marriage with Barbato, revealing a complex web of emotions and loyalties.

After a troubled twelve-year marriage with Nancy, Sinatra and Gardner officially wed in 1951, embarking on a tumultuous journey filled with publicized conflicts and personal struggles.

Despite the intense bond between Sinatra and Gardner, marked by profound love and mutual understanding, their relationship was plagued by challenges that ultimately led to their separation in 1957.

The intricate dynamics of their romance, characterized by passion, ambition, and conflicting priorities, encapsulate a compelling chapter in both Sinatra's and Gardner's lives, shaping their legacies in the world of entertainment.

Sinatra's enduring affection for Gardner, even after her passing in 1990, underscores the depth of their connection and the lasting impact she had on his life and career, leaving an indelible mark on his heart and soul.