One of the most dynamic duos in contemporary cinema, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, are reuniting for an exciting new venture. This time, they are stepping into the production arena as they collaborate on Carthage Must Be Destroyed, a thrilling action-packed drama penned by Ocean’s 11 screenwriter Ted Griffin. According to reports from Deadline, Griffin will not only write but also make his directorial debut with this film, which is set to kick off production in October in the picturesque state of Rhode Island. This collaboration marks another significant chapter in the illustrious partnership between DiCaprio and Scorsese, further solidifying their impactful legacy in the film industry.
The plot of Carthage Must Be Destroyed revolves around a mysterious drifter who arrives in a decaying Rust Belt town plagued by a powerful and ruthless criminal syndicate. Drawing inspiration from classic films like Yojimbo and A Fistful of Dollars, this enigmatic stranger ignites a fierce battle for control among the town’s corrupt leaders, all while striving to liberate the oppressed townsfolk from their oppressive circumstances. This film will serve as the first feature directorial endeavor for Griffin, who has previously directed episodes of acclaimed series such as Terriers (which he created), Mad Dogs, and Patriot. Griffin’s extensive background as a screenwriter includes notable works such as Ravenous, Matchstick Men, Killers, and Tower Heist. Furthermore, this project marks another collaboration with DiCaprio and Scorsese, as Griffin previously co-produced their box-office success The Wolf of Wall Street and portrayed Hughes, an FBI agent involved in apprehending DiCaprio’s notorious character, Jordan Belfort.
Explore the Collaborative Filmography of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio
The cinematic partnership between Scorsese and DiCaprio first blossomed in 2002 when Scorsese cast DiCaprio to lead his long-awaited historical epic, Gangs of New York. DiCaprio’s casting came highly endorsed by Robert De Niro, a long-time collaborator of Scorsese, who had previously worked alongside a teenage DiCaprio in This Boy’s Life. The success of Gangs of New York sparked a rich and fruitful collaboration, leading Scorsese to cast DiCaprio in subsequent projects, including the biopic about Howard Hughes, The Aviator, the gripping Boston crime drama The Departed, and the psychologically intense thriller Shutter Island. Their partnership continued to flourish with the critical and commercial success of The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013, and after a brief hiatus, they reunited once again for the highly anticipated Killers of the Flower Moon, which has garnered them critical acclaim and some of the best reviews of their prolific careers. Looking ahead, the two are also set to collaborate on the intense historical drama The Wager, which promises to be another significant cinematic achievement.
The production of Carthage Must Be Destroyed will be spearheaded by Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Productions, alongside Christopher Donelly, Gareth West, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, and Jennifer Davisson from LBI Entertainment. Notably, Scorsese and DiCaprio will also take on executive producer roles, bringing their extensive experience and insight to the project. The film represents a collaboration among multiple production companies, including Sikelia Productions, Appian Way Productions, Verdi Productions, and Ketchup Entertainment, all of which are committed to creating a high-quality cinematic experience for audiences.
The filming of Carthage Must Be Destroyed is scheduled to commence in October in Rhode Island. However, as of now, casting details and the official release date have yet to be disclosed. For the latest updates and information, stay connected with Collider, your go-to source for all things related to cinema and entertainment.
Source: Deadline
