Legendary director Martin Scorsese's new movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, is among the most anticipated films of the year. The film is adapted from the book of the same name by author David Grann. It is also the director's highest-budget work, with $200 million.
The film will tell the story of the systematic massacre of the Osage Nation between 1920 and 1925 after oil was discovered on their soil. However, the story has changed after the master director's relationship with the real-life Osage community. The community's contributions not only had a positive impact on the film but also changed Martin Scorsese's plans almost completely. Osage Nation chief Geoffrey Standing Bear served as a consultant on the film.
Lily Gladstone, another star of the movie alongside Jesse Plemons, spoke at the Variety Studio presented by Audible at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Gladstone was there for the premiere of Fancy Dance, but she talked about the changing process of the movie.
''The work is better when you let the world inform the work. That was very refreshing how involved the production got with the Osage Nation community. As the community warmed up to our presence, the more the community got involved with the film. It’s a different movie than the one Scorsese walked in to make almost entirely because of what the community had to say about how it was being made and what was being portrayed.''
Gladstone Says 'I’ve Been So Lucky' Regarding Everyone's Commitment to Killers of the Flower Moon
Gladstone answered a question about what it was like working with Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio. She said she feels lucky because of everyone's commitment to their work.
''You have those moments with superstars, and I feel like I’ve had so many moments so far in these wonderful films that I get to do. The name is a different thing than the person. When you’re sitting down doing the scene work, it’s just two actors. I’ve been so lucky that everybody is a committed artist to what they do. It was a really refreshing thing to see. Everyone is searching for the truth of what’s going on''
DiCaprio and Gladstone will play married couple, Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Burkhart. Robert De Niro will star as rancher William Hale. Brendan Fraser, who received praise for The Whale, is also in the movie. Oscar-winner Eric Roth wrote the screenplay, which is based on a true story. Roth has seen tremendous success in Hollywood with films such as Forrest Gump (1994) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008).
Apple TV+ will release the western crime drama movie later this year. And the film will likely have a country-wide theatrical run before its streaming debut.