Scorsese's Fiery Take: Seth Rogen's Kim Jong Un Jokes 'Ruined Everything,' Including 'Cleopatra'

Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese recently shared a fascinating revelation regarding a major historical epic he was once slated to direct, featuring none other than Angelina Jolie. During a new video for the Tribeca Film Festival's YouTube channel, in a conversation with his daughter Francesca, Scorsese disclosed that he was on the verge of helming a "Cleopatra" movie before unforeseen circumstances derailed the project.

The acclaimed director pointed to Seth Rogen's film, "The Interview," as the unexpected cause of the disruption. This real-life incident draws a striking parallel to a scene in Apple TV's "The Studio," where Seth Rogen's character, Matt Remnick, similarly thwarts Scorsese’s fictional ambition to direct a Jonestown Massacre epic titled "Kool-Aid." The revelation highlights how events beyond a filmmaker's control can significantly impact their creative endeavors.

The discussion began with Francesca inquiring about a movie her father wished he had made. After an initial contemplative response about the impossibility of making someone else's work, the suggestion of "Gladiator" arose. Scorsese, with a playful wink, remarked, "I would’ve done it a little differently if I’d come up with a plot." He then briefly mentioned other films, such as Abel Ferrara’s "Bad Lieutenant," before Francesca's pointed question about a grand Roman epic led him to confirm his plans for "Cleopatra."

This candid discussion provides a rare glimpse into the unfulfilled projects of one of cinema's most celebrated auteurs, underscoring the many factors, both personal and external, that shape a director's filmography. The story of Scorsese's nearly-made "Cleopatra" adds another intriguing chapter to the extensive history of Hollywood's "what if" scenarios.