James R | On 11, Aug 2020

Martin Scorsese has inked a first-look with Apple via his production banner Sikelia Productions.

Scorsese gave Netflix one of its most watched original films last year with The Irishman, a high-profile awards contender that saw the GoodFellas and Raging Bull director make his first steps into the streaming arena. A longstanding advocate for cinemas and preserving cinema history, he also acknowledged the practical considerations of the modern industry: he said at the time that, after years of trouble with Paramount backing his gangster epic, he was won over by “having the backing of a company that says that you will have no interference”.

Three months ago, his latest project – Killers of the Flower Moon – also picked up backing from a streamer, with Apple boarding the movie to help foot a reportedly expensive budget. That deal included the provision of a theatrical run in cinemas, via Paramount.

Now, Scorsese is officially entering into a relationship with Apple, reports Deadline, with his Sikelia Productions signing a multi-year agreement to produce and direct film and TV projects for Apple TV+.

Killers of the Flower Moon will begin that partnership, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro attached to star and production pencilled for February 2021. It marks a move from Paramount, where Sikelia has been based for several years. Scorsese’s company joins a number of other star-led production banners, including Leonardo DiCpario and Jennifer Davisson’s Appian Way, Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions.

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