One of the greatest living American filmmakers is stepping in front of the cameras for his next project. Martin Scorsese will act in Julian Schnabel’s crime mystery In the Hand of Dante, Variety reported on Tuesday. Scorsese, who is listed as an executive producer on the project, has a small role as the elderly wise man and mentor to Dante Alighieri (Oscar Isaac).
“He’s extraordinary in the film,” Schnabel said to Variety. “You can’t take your eyes off him.” Schnabel added that Scorsese’s part is a “brilliant, important role.”
Scorsese typically makes cameos in his films, with his most recent appearance as the radio show producer in Killers of the Flower Moon. In the early ’90s, Scorsese played minor roles in Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams, Robert Redford’s Quiz Show, and David Salle’s Search and Destroy. In 2004, Scorsese voiced the role of Sykes in Shark Tale.
Who to Expect in Julian Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante?
Based on Nick Tosches’ novel, “ln the Hand of Dante revolves around the handwritten manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s poem ‘The Divine Comedy’ that is found in the Vatican library,” Variety’s synopsis reads. “The poem makes its way from a priest to a mob boss in New York City, where it is taken by Tosches after he’s asked to verify its authenticity. Then, like Dante, Tosches embarks on his own journey.”
Isaac headlines ln the Hand of Dante in the dual role of Nick Tosches and Dante Alighieri. The cast includes Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, Benjamin Clementine, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, John Malkovich, and Louis Cancelmi.
Schnabel directed In The Hand of Dante on a script he co-wrote with his wife, Louise Kugelberg. Producers include Jon Kilik, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Olmo Schnabel, and Robert MacLean. Despite no release date, Variety suggests the film may show up at the Venice Film Festival.
