Martin Scorsese and John Carney Developing a George Gershwin-Inspired Musical Drama FASCINATING RHYTHM
Martin Scorcese and John Carney are teaming up to develop a new musical drama film inspired by iconic composer George Gershwin, the musical artist behind “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris.”
The movie will be titled Fascinating Rhythm, which is the name of one of Gershwin’s most recognizable songs. Scorsese will produce the film and John Carney will direct. Carney is the filmmaker behind the film Once and Sing Street, and has also served as the showrunner of Amazon’s Modern Love. He’s also co-writing the screenplay with Chris Cluess (SCTV, Night Court).
Fascinating Rhythm is described as an original musical that “will draw creative influence from the life and music of Gershwin. However, the film is not expected to be a biopic. Instead, the story is centering on a young woman’s magical journey through past and present New York City.”
The Gershwin estate is supporting the movie and it will feature his music throughout. Some of Gershwin’s best known compositions include “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess.”
Gershwin, who died in 1937, composed more than a dozen Broadway musicals including “Let ‘Em Eat Cake,” “Treasure Girl” and “Lady, Be Good.” He also wrote original scores for 1937’s Fred Astaire-led musicals “Shall We Dance” and “A Damsel in Distress,” the former of which landed him an Oscar nomination for the song “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”
Gershwin created some incredible and beautiful music over the course of his career and if you need a reminder of what he did, here’s one of his most famous works.