Who'll Play Frank Sinatra in the New Scorsese Film?

It’s official: Martin Scorsese will soon realize his life’s purpose and direct a Frank Sinatra biopic.  Though inevitable, this project had to clear the major hurdle of approval from the Sinatra family. The crooner’s youngest daughter Tina has said that she would “trust Scorsese implicitly” to “present the truth” about her father. So now that they have their no-brainer director, is their a no-brainer actor to play Ol’ Blue Eyes? Ray Liotta played The Chairman in HBO’s 1998 movie The Rat Pack, and while a younger Liotta would have been an ideal candidate (since this film will probably chronicle Sinatra’s younger years), he’s too old and too not-famous-enough-anymore for the part. You know what that means… Speculation time!

Leonardo DiCaprio: The first and most obvious choice. Not just because Leo has starred in Scorsese’s last four features (and is set to star in a fifth), but because he’s got the gaunt, thin characteristics, and leading man looks (and blue eyes) to pull it off. Not to mention he played a character named Frank in Catch Me If You Can who was basically a less-criminal version of Sinatra. Did we mention that Scorsese hasn’t made a fictional movie in 7 years that didn’t star Leonardo DiCaprio?

Harry Connick Jr: When people think of a modern-day Sinatra, if their minds don’t melt from the paradoxical weight of that consideration, he is the first person that comes to mind. AskMen.com calls him Frank Sinatra’s heir apparent. His resemblance is uncanny, and assuming the actor will be made to sing his own songs, all vocal chords considered this is Connick Jr.’s role to lose. Too bad the film will use actual Sinatra recordings. Sorry, HCJ.

James Franco: The sexy pick. Since he gave up trying to become Hollywood’s next great macho man with films like Annapolis and Flyboys, Franco has elevated himself to important status, with serious comedic and dramatic chops in movies like Pineapple Express and Milk. Since winning the Golden Globe for playing the title role in James Dean, Franco has practically been typecast as playing cultural icons. Note: his upcoming role as Allen Ginsberg in Howl, and that time he played himself in Knocked Up.

Cate Blanchett: If you’ve seen her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Bob Dylan in Todd Hayne’s I’m Not There, then we shouldn’t even have to argue this. The only problem is, this is going to be a major studio picture, which means no risk-taking. Expect her to be cast as Dean Martin, and win her another Scorsese-filmed Best Supporting Oscar to Leo’s leading man.

Honorable Mentions: Jon Hamm, Johnny Depp, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, an Unknown, or this guy

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