Apple TV+ was the victor in a bidding war for Martin Scorsese’s next film — “Killers of the Flower Moon” — starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Paramount is slated to distribute the Apple original film worldwide.
Apple foots the production bill and after a movie theater run, it will stream on Apple TV+. “Killers of the Flower Moon” would be its biggest title to date, reports Deadline.
The film is based on David Grann’s book “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI.” The story revolves around the murders of rich Osage Native Americans in 1920s Oklahoma, once oil is discovered on their land.
Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump,” “The Insider”) wrote the script, and Imperative is producing.
The acquisition is a sign that Apple is making serious investments in movies.
Apple TV+ has also picked up “Greyhound,” starring Tom Hanks. The WWII drama was initially slated for a theatrical release June 12. But Sony Pictures has decided to go the streaming route. No release date has been announced, but the premiere will launch in more than 100 countries. The action picture focuses on the Battle of the Atlantic; Hanks wrote the screenplay.
Paramount was the original financier of Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” which was streamed on Netflix.