'Gangs of the New York' Gets the Small-Screen Treatment
by Shannon Keirnan
2002’s Oscar heavyweight “Gangs of New York” will be coming back to the screen—that is, your television screen.
Director Martin Scorsese is developing a television series based upon his multiple award-winning film, partnering with Miramax (the studio that released the original film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Daniel Day-Lewis) but with no attached television network as of yet.
The series will expand on the film, which explored 19th century New York gangs. According to Miramax, the show won’t just focus on New York—it will delve into the gang violence and the birth of organized crime in other big cities such as Chicago and New Orleans.
"This time and era of America's history and heritage is rich with characters and stories that we could not fully explore in a two-hour film," Scorsese said in a statement. "A television series allows us the time and creative freedom to bring this colorful world, and all the implications it had and still does on our society, to life.”
His film earned ten Oscar nominations, including Best Director. It was nominated for an incredible 61 awards total, and won 41 of them, including a Golden Globe for Best Director.
Scorsese also contributes to the popular HBO drama “Boardwalk Empire,” so he’s no stranger to adapting to the small screen.
What do you think about bringing “Gangs of New York” into your living room on a regular basis? Would you tune in to see a television version of the bloody, gritty gang drama?