Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese is planning to direct a biopic about the iconic punk rock band The Ramones, which is set to release in 2016 in celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary.
The project is currently in the beginning stages and does not have a writer officially on board.
“The big 40th anniversary is gonna be celebrated in 2016 with the release of the first record,” estate manager Jeff Jampol told Billboard at a Johnny Ramone tribute event on Sunday. “They got together in 74, they started playing some shows, they were a small local band, but the world became aware of the Ramones when they released their first record in 76. And that’s the year we’re celebrating.”
The band’s last living member, original drummer Tommy Ramone, passed away earlier this July. The quartet’s other members include lead singer Joey, who died in 2001, followed by bassist Dee Dee in 2001, and guitarist Johnny in 2004.
Scorsese will soon be directing an adaptation of the 1966 Shusaku Endo novel, Silence, which is due to enter production next year.
The film will follow a pair of priests who become persecuted after trying to bring Christianity to Japan in the 17th century. Cast members attached to the film include Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver.
Meanwhile, check out the epic performance of “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones below:
