Netflix is known for throwing money at new projects (like the $90 million it put toward the sci-fi film Bright with Will Smith) But Martin Scorsese might give the streaming giant a run for its money, literally.
According toDeadline, Scorsese is running up a $140 million (and rising) bill for The Irishman, a film that stars A-list actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Anna Paquin, and more. Although The Irishman was originally budgeted at $100 million, it's proving to be pricier than expected. This is partially due to special effects expenses, which are being used to de-age the actors, since the film takes place over two different timelines. Scorsese is also reportedly earning $10-$15 million for the film.
But if Netflix did a bit of homework, they'd know that Scorsese's films have only been getting more and more expensive since the start of his career. It goes as follows: Mean Streets ($500,000), Taxi Driver ($1.3 million), Raging Bull ($18 million), Goodfellas ($25 million), Casino ($52 million), Gangs of New York ($97 million), The Aviator ($110 million), and The Wolf of Wall Street ($100 million). However, 2011's Hugo, which cost $150 million, remains to be Scorsese's most expensive film. But if The Irishman keeps racking up the budget, it might beat Hugo out of that spot.
The Irishman, which is based on Charles Brandt's book I Heard You Paint Houses, is in post-production and is set to be released on Netflix next year.
