Big news: Martin Scorsese has officially chosen his next film—and it’s one that few expected.
Scorsese will direct “What Happens at Night,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence set to star. Production is being targeted for early 2026 (January/February), with Apple Original Studios producing the adaptation of Peter Cameron’s “haunting” novel.
The screenplay, written by Patrick Marber (“Closer,” “Notes on a Scandal”), adapts Cameron’s ghostly, dreamlike tale. The story follows an American couple who travel to a snowy European town to adopt a baby. They check into a vast, nearly deserted hotel populated by enigmatic figures: a flamboyant singer, a corrupt businessman, and a magnetic faith healer. As they fight to bring their child home, the strange world around them begins to unravel—and so does their understanding of themselves and their marriage.
According to Deadline, Scorsese initially came aboard only as a producer while weighing other post-”Killers of the Flower Moon” projects, and there have been many too choose from, but ultimately returned to this story as his next directorial effort.
For DiCaprio, who is currently receiving raves and Oscar buzz for “One Battle After Another,” “What Happens at Night” secures one of his two major commitments for 2026—the other being Michael Mann’s much-anticipated “Heat 2.” Deadline’s Justin Kroll is now also echoing DiCaprio’s involvement in Mann’s upcoming epic.
This marks Scorsese’s first time back on a set in nearly four years; principal photography on “Killers of the Flower Moon” wrapped in October 2021. Fans have long speculated about his next move, and this new project carries echoes of “Shutter Island” in its eerie, psychological tone.
At 82, Scorsese remains as active as ever. He recently picked up an Emmy nomination for his comedic cameo in Seth Rogen’s “The Studio,” and while he had planned to film two high-profile projects last year, including “Sinatra,” with Lawrence and DiCaprio, both were unexpectedly shelved.
There are plenty of projects Scorsese could have tackled next. By my count, he has nine in development, including his Dwayne Johnson–led Hawaiian mob movie, “Devil in the White City,” “Midnight Vendetta,” and “Home.” But he’s reportedly decided on a ghost story: “What Happens at Night.” We’ll see if it actually happens.
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