Miramax and Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese announced today that they are developing a television series based on the film Gangs of New York. The original film released in 2002 by Miramax and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis, focused on early confrontations between rival gangs in New York in the mid to late 1800’s.
The series will draw from the multitude of events surrounding organized gangs at the turn of the century and shortly thereafter in America, not only in New York, but in other cities such as Chicago and New Orleans and the birth of organized crime in America.
“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. 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. I am excited to partner with Miramax in telling these stories,” stated Martin Scorsese.
“No one better exemplifies what the new Miramax is and will be better than Martin Scorsese. His dedication to quality and the art of storytelling continues to excite everyone that works with him and watches his films and television programs. We could not think of a better partner for this project than the creator of the wonderful film on which it is based,” stated Richard Nanula, chairman of Miramax and a principal at Colony Capital.
