Martin Scorsese is developing another TV show about gangsters but is going further back in American history for inspiration.
Scorsese made the jump to the small screen in 2010 with the Prohibition-era HBO hit “Boardwalk Empire” but now he is turning his 2002 film “Gangs of New York” into a TV show for Cinemax, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“Gangs of New York” was set in 1863 New York and chronicled the rise of organized crime in the Big Apple but the new show will expand further afield to include gangsters in cities like Chicago and New Orleans.
“This time and era of America’s history and heritage is rich with characters and stories that we could not fully explore in a two-hour film,” Scorsese said in a statement.
“A television series allows us the time and creative freedom to bring this colorful world, and all the implications it had and still does on our society, to life.”
While the film version of “Gangs” starred Hollywood heavyweights like Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio and Liam Neeson, casting details for the new show remain a secret.
“Gangs” was nominated for ten Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.