Martin Scorsese to play a powerful cameo in Julian Schnabel’s ‘In the Hand of Dante’

Martin Scorsese is all set to play a small but powerful role in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming ‘In the Hand of Dante’!

Martin Scorsese will soon be seen on the big screen playing an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing “The Divine Comedy” in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery film titled“In the Hands of Dante.” 

The ace director has a cameo in the film featuring a star-studded cast comprising Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, and Al Pacino. 

The film will also feature British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine (“Dune”) playing a quintessentially demonic character who seesaws between past and present. 

The indie film – which may surface at the Venice Film Festival – is reported to have been largely shot in Italy in locations including Sicily, Venice, Verona, Rome, and Viterbo.

The film’s story is based on the eponymous book by Nick Tosches, which revolves around a manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s poem “The Divine Comedy” that is found in the Vatican library.

As per the synopsis, the poem makes its way from a priest to a mob boss in New York City, where it is taken by Tosches after he’s asked to verify its authenticity. Then, like Dante, Tosches embarks on his journey.

While talking to Variety, Schnabel said “He is extraordinary in the film,” calling Scorsese’s part “a brilliant, important role.” 

“You can’t take your eyes off him,” he added.

Well, this won’t be the first time, Scorsese has cameoed in many of his movies and occasionally performed in films by other directors.

 Scorsese played Vincent van Gogh in a segment of Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film “Dreams” and also performed as voice talent as the loan shark pufferfish in “Shark Tale.”