Paul Schrader & Martin Scorsese Won’t Collaborate Again

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As a cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that the collaboration between Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese was one for the ages. Their partnership shaped the cinematic landscape in ways that are still felt today. While it’s a bit disappointing to hear they won’t be working together again, it’s heartening to know they remain friends and continue to make great films separately. It’s like a beautiful, long-term relationship that ended amicably, but both parties still adore each other from afar.

Discussing the key figures who significantly impacted cinema during the ’70s New Hollywood era, it’s hard to overlook the pairing of Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese. Their first joint venture, the 1976 film “Taxi Driver,” where Scorsese directed Schrader’s script, was both a critical and commercial success, while also influencing the gritty antihero genre of that time. Together, they produced four more highly-regarded films — “Raging Bull” (1980), “The Last Temptation of Christ” (1988), and lastly, “Bringing Out the Dead” (1999).

MovieWeb recently had an interview with Schrader about his upcoming movie titled “Oh, Canada“. With the 25th anniversary of the film Bringing Out the Dead approaching this year, we inquired if there were any plans for Schrader and Scorsese to collaborate again. Despite their past partnership and both attempting different versions of a Frank Sinatra biopic, Schrader clarified why he hasn’t written anything for Scorsese recently. He mentioned that working together has become more complex due to the fact that they are both directors now. Schrader stated this during the interview:

In the course of our work on Bringing Out the Dead, it became clear to both of us that our collaboration had concluded. This was due to the fact that there were effectively two directors present, and with Martin Scorsese, there can only be one director in charge. He never proposed any further projects to me, nor did I propose anything to him.

Ever since our joint venture on “Bringing Out the Dead,” Martin Scorsese and I have maintained a collaborative relationship, albeit on a smaller scale. Interestingly, Martin took on the producer role in some of my recent projects, like “The Card Counter.” In fact, he even watched “The Card Counter” during the COVID-19 pandemic and offered constructive feedback. Despite us not having any immediate plans to collaborate on a future project, I’m glad to say that Martin and I still have regular interactions. I’d often say, “I bump into Marty quite frequently.

Two Legendary Filmmakers Working Today

Initially known for his writing skills, Schrader transitioned swiftly into directing with his first film, “Blue Collar“, which followed “Taxi Driver” by two years. The same year saw the release of “American Gigolo” alongside Scorsese’s “Raging Bull“. Schrader then garnered significant critical recognition as a director with movies such as “Affliction“, “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters“, and his thematic trilogy consisting of “First Reformed“, “The Card Counter“, and “Master Gardener“. In contrast, Scorsese has continued to be active in the world of more commercially-oriented films, with his latest work “Killers of the Flower Moon” earning him his 10th nomination for Best Director at the Oscars.

It’s nothing short of amazing, given the possibility of these two renowned filmmakers collaborating once more, that they are both still actively creating exceptional, thought-provoking films. Notably, Schrader’s debut, Oh, Canada, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 and will hit theaters on December 6, 2024. Additionally, Schrader has penned scripts for other notable directors, such as a Western film titled Three Guns at Dawn for Antoine Fuqua and R.N., a project focusing on a trauma nurse that Elisabeth Moss is slated to direct.

Currently, Scorsese is considering various projects as his next venture after “Killers of the Flower Moon,” one of which might be an adaption of Marilynne Robinson’s novel “Home.” Additionally, Scorsese serves as a producer on the upcoming Disney+ documentary film “Beatles ’64,” set to premiere on their streaming service on November 29, 2024. It’s exciting to see both Scorsese and Schrader busy with their respective projects.

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2024-11-27 07:09