What Happens at Night: Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Martin Scorsese's new film
The story takes place in a snow-covered small town in Europe
Directing legend Martin Scorsese is finally returning with a new project! As the industry magazine Deadline reports, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence will take on the leading roles in the book adaptation "What Happens at Night".
The story of "What Happens at Night" is set in a remote, snowy small town in Europe. An American couple travels there to adopt a baby. Their stay takes them to a semi-abandoned, cave-like hotel populated by mysterious characters: a flamboyant singer, a shady businessman and a charismatic faith healer. The longer the couple endure the freezing cold, the less they seem to know about their marriage, themselves and even life.
Talks are currently underway between Apple Original Films and Studiocanal regarding financing and production. Studiocanal had already acquired the rights to Peter Cameron's novel in spring 2023 and commissioned Patrick Marber to write the screenplay. Originally, Scorsese was only intended to be a producer, while he was still busy with the post-production of his film "Killers of the Flower Moon". Now, however, he is also taking on the role of director. A start date has not yet been set. Leonardo DiCaprio can currently be seen in "One Battle After Another" by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Leonardo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese: One of Hollywood's most successful partnerships
If two names have been closely linked in Hollywood for over two decades, then it is that of Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. The actor and director have developed into one of the most influential duos in modern film history – comparable to legends such as Robert De Niro and Scorsese in the 1970s and 1980s. Their collaboration not only produced artistically ambitious works, but also worldwide box office successes. Below we take a look at all the films they have made together to date.
Gangs of New York (2002)
The first collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese also marked the beginning of a new phase in both their careers. In "Gangs of New York", DiCaprio plays the young Amsterdam Vallon, who returns to 19th century New York, dominated by gangs and violence, to avenge the death of his father.
Scorsese staged the film as a monumental historical epic in which the emergence of modern America and its bloody past are dealt with. Daniel Day-Lewis shone alongside DiCaprio as the charismatic but brutal Bill the Butcher. Although the film received mixed reviews, it was an important starting point for the creative relationship between director and actor.
Aviator (2004)
With "Aviator", Scorsese and DiCaprio ventured into the biography of the eccentric entrepreneur, pilot and film producer Howard Hughes. The film showed the highs and lows of a man who was characterized by fame, wealth and inner demons.
DiCaprio delivered one of his most intense performances to date. His portrayal of Hughes' increasing obsessive-compulsive disorder in particular earned him great acclaim. The film was nominated for eleven Oscars and won five – including an award for Cate Blanchett as Best Supporting Actress. For DiCaprio, "Aviator" finally marked his breakthrough as a serious character actor in the adult genre.
The Departed: Among Enemies (2006)
With "The Departed", the duo created a masterpiece of a thriller. Based on the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, Scorsese directed a story about undercover cops, gangsters and betrayal in Boston. DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, a young police officer who allows himself to be infiltrated into the underworld. At the same time, Matt Damon plays a gangster who works as a police informer. In a cat-and-mouse game between loyalty and betrayal, both characters head towards an inevitable finale.
The film was not only a hit with audiences, but also finally brought Scorsese the long-awaited Oscar for Best Director after a career spanning decades. The film itself also received the Academy Award for "Best Picture". For DiCaprio, it was another role that proved his versatility.
Shutter Island (2010)
Four years later, Scorsese and DiCaprio ventured into the mystery thriller "Shutter Island", based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. DiCaprio plays US marshal Teddy Daniels, who investigates a psychiatric institution on a remote island – and is increasingly confronted with his own psychological abysses.
The film combines classic noir elements with a disturbing psychological depth. DiCaprio embodies his character's creeping madness so vividly that viewers waver between reality and delusion until the very end. Although the film was not quite as highly rated by critics as other Scorsese works, it became a cult classic with a strong fan base.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Probably no collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio caused as much discussion as "The Wolf of Wall Street". Based on the memoirs of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, Scorsese directed an excessive, black humor-infused look at greed, power and decadence in the financial world. DiCaprio threw himself into the role of the uninhibited Belfort with total dedication - including wild parties, drug excesses and shameless self-dramatization. His performance perfectly balanced comedy and tragedy and earned him another Oscar nomination.
Despite its three-hour running time, the film was an international box office hit and is now regarded as one of the cheekiest and most radical contributions to Scorsese's late work.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
After a long break, Scorsese and DiCaprio returned with a monumental work. "Killers of the Flower Moon", based on the non-fiction book by David Grann, tells the story of the brutal murders of members of the Osage Indian tribe in the 1920s. DiCaprio plays Ernest Burkhart, a man torn between loyalty to his wife and manipulation by his power-hungry uncle (played by Robert De Niro). The dark story highlights the intertwining of racism, capitalism and violence in US history.
The film was critically acclaimed, received standing ovations lasting several minutes at the Cannes Film Festival and is considered one of the highlights of both artists' careers.
A unique collaboration
Over the course of two decades, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have shown how fruitful a long-term creative partnership can be. In DiCaprio, Scorsese found an actor who is willing to cross extreme emotional and physical boundaries, while in Scorsese, DiCaprio has a director who challenges his acting range in the best possible way.
Just as Robert De Niro once became the face of Scorsese's work in the 70s and 80s, Leonardo DiCaprio is now the symbol of the second great phase in the director's oeuvre. Together they have created works that are both artistically ambitious and suitable for the masses – a rare combination in today's film world.
And the end of their partnership is not yet in sight: the next collaboration is already in the starting blocks with "What Happens at Night". It will be interesting to see what facets DiCaprio will reveal under Scorsese's direction this time.
