Here's some shocking news: Leonardo DiCaprio is setting up a possible franchise for himself at Fox that has zero input from Martin Scorsese ... at least so far.
Variety reports that DiCaprio is set to star in an adaptation of The Deep Blue Goodbye, where he will portray Floridian "salvage consultant" Travis McGee in the first of what was to become a 21-book series by the late mystery novelist John D. MacDonald. In the book, DiCaprio's character, who recovers lost or stolen items or money for clients, tracks down a psychotic murderer in possession of a soldier's treasure lost somewhere in the Florida Keys. No details were given on how Dana Steven has altered the story in her screenplay.
No director is currently attached to The Deep Blue Goodbye, but with DiCaprio also serving as producer, it's expected that DiCaprio will find a suitable candidate. Considering his almost constant working relationship with Scorsese, could he be along for the ride? Their first joint effort on a thriller, Shutter Island, has been pushed back for a February 19, 2010, release, usually not a good sign. However, bringing on Scorsese might help DiCaprio seal himself into a franchise, though with his current schedule loaded with movies like Brave New World, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (with Scorsese), and about 24 others, who knows when DiCaprio will find the time to complete The Deep Blue Goodbye, much less 21 more crime movies.