Martin Scorsese's “Silence” is finally making its way to the screen. First announcing his intention to direct an adaptation of the acclaimed Shusako Endo novel in 2007, the Oscar-winning filmmaker has directed a trio of narrative features in the intervening years (“Shutter Island,” “Hugo” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”) but is now closer than ever to realizing his vision for the book, which was the recipient of Japan's prestigious Tanizaki Prize in 1966.
Paramount Pictures has officially acquired U.S. distribution rights to the project — whose production is being financed by Emmett/Furla/Oasis partners Randall Emmett and George Furla — for an awards-season release in November 2015, according to a report by Deadline. Starring Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, Ken Watanabe and Adam Driver and written by Jay Cocks (who previously collaborated with Scorsese on “Gangs of New York” and “The Age of Innocence”), the film will shoot at least partially in Taiwan.
Set in 17th century Japan, “Silence” centers on two Jesuit priests who face terrible repercussions when they travel to the country to locate their mentor and spread Christianity. The book was previously adapted in 1971 by Japanese director Masahiro Shinoda.
Last year's “The Wolf of Wall Street” represented Scorsese's greatest critical and commercial success in quite a few years, with a worldwide gross of over $392 million and a total of five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio.