Movies - TV
Harvey Weinstein And Gangs Of New York Almost Made Martin Scorsese Retire
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
Martin Scorsese's "Gang of New York" was a project that, after years, finally got off the ground when Harvey Weinstein secured the film's hefty budget.
However, it was a harrowing experience for Scorsese. The film's production and Weinstein triggered an existential crisis for the director that almost caused him to retire.
This feeling of despair may have also been prompted when Scorsese signed a multi-picture deal with Weinstein's Miramax, prolonging his work with the producer.
Scorsese wasn't wholly satisfied with the finished version of "Gangs of New York," as the director wanted to include more in the movie with a longer runtime and bigger budget.
In an interview with GQ, Scorsese said, "If that was the only way that I was able to be allowed to make films, then I'd have to stop."
There were also reports that Weinstein would show up on the "Gangs of New York" set to speed along production, not allowing Scorsese to work at his own pace.
The producer tried to make costume changes, notably on lead actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who later admitted that he stayed in the film partly out of spite toward Weinstein.
These issues and Weinstein’s attempt to change a part of the script are just a few examples of the producer’s long-known negative behavior.