Martin Scorsese & Apple Reportedly Adapting Gilead Novels, Leonardo DiCaprio Attached To Star

Martin Scorsese and Apple are reportedly adapting the Gilead novels with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star. The legendary director teamed up with Apple for his latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, which starred DiCaprio in the lead role and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Since its release in October 2023, the 82-year-old director has floated many options for his next film, including multiple projects that would reunite him with one of his most frequent collaborators, DiCaprio.

Now, another project has been added to that list. Per Publishers Weekly, Apple Original Films has reportedly struck a deal to develop Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead novels with Martin Scorsese attached to write, direct, and produce, and Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star, starting with Home, the second of four novels in the series. There are no details on the plans to adapt the remaining novels. The six-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Todd Field is also attached to produce.

What This Means For Martin Scorsese

He Has Many Projects In Development

Shortly after Killers of the Flower Moon was released in October 2023, it was reported that Martin Scorsese’s next movie would be A Life of Jesus, based on the book by Shūsaku Endō. Soon after, it was reported that he also had a Frank Sinatra biopic in development starring DiCaprio. However, both of these projects have reportedly stalled and been postponed. In turn, Scorsese started exploring other options for his next film. More recently, the Devil in the White City movie was reportedly revived at 20th Century Studios with Scorsese and DiCaprio attached to direct and star.

In February 2025, it was reported that Scorsese was setting up a project described as a Hawaii-set Goodfellas meets The Departed with DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, and Emily Blunt set to star. Now, the Gilead adaptation is just the latest project that Scorsese reportedly has in development with DiCaprio attached. After A Life of Jesus and his Frank Sinatra biopic reportedly stalled, it appears that with four and possibly even more projects in development, Scorsese is taking a “throw mud at the wall and see what sticks” approach, hoping that at least one of the projects is greenlit.

Our Take On Martin Scorsese’s Gilead Adaptation

It’s A Suitable Alternative To A Life Of Jesus

Martin Scorsese talking in a documentary The Oratario

If Martin Scorsese is unable to make A Life of Jesus, an adaptation of the Gilead novels is a suitable alternative. Home is the second novel in Marilynne Robinson’s four-part series, which explores themes of faith and rural life in the fictional town of Gilead, Iowa. Similarly, Scorsese has explored faith in The Last Temptation of Christ and Silence, based on the book by Shūsaku Endō. If the Gilead adaptation becomes a reality, it should be another interesting exploration of faith from Martin Scorsese.

Source: Publishers Weekly