While Martin Scorsese remains one of Hollywood’s most respected directors, the famed director expressed regret over one of his most successful films starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Scorsese, whose filmography includes Taxi driver, Cape FearAnd Good guysrecently revealed GQ that he was invited to direct the 2010 psychological thriller. Shutter Island after winning the Oscar for Gonebut wish he had decided to watch another movie instead.
We are talking about a wide-screen adaptation of the novel by Shusaku Endo. Silence, which Scorsese eventually became director. The 2016 drama starring Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield tells the story of two Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in search of their mentor.
Shutter Island Was a box office hit
Although Scorsese wasn’t thrilled with Shutter Island the film was a box office success at the time, earning over $294,000,000 worldwide.
Based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. Shutter Island follows U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels (DiCaprio) as he investigates a psychiatric facility after one of the patients mysteriously disappears.
The film, which also starred Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Michelle Williams, received generally positive reviews from critics and was named one of the best films of 2010 by the National Board of Film Critics.
Another film with DiCaprio turned out to be problematic
Scorsese also shared his experience working on the 2002 period drama. Gangs of New York With GQrecalling how disgraced former film producer Harvey Weinstein violently interfered during filming.
“If this was the only way I was allowed to make films, I would have to stop,” Scorsese said of filming. “The results were not satisfactory. It was extremely difficult at times and I couldn’t handle it. I would be dead.
Scorsese had a similar experience on the set of 2004. Pilot, also starring DiCaprio. The director recalled being “forced” to work with Weinstein again, who he said “came in and did some things that I thought were extremely despicable” towards the end of production.
Despite the turmoil on set, both films were commercial and critical successes, and were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.