Martin Scorsese is set to collaborate with acclaimed documentary film-maker Asif Kapadia for a film about the origins of the Rolls-Royce company.
Silver Ghost will be directed by Kapadia, whose film Amy is up for best documentary at this year’s Oscars, and produced by Scorsese. Unlike the majority of Kapadia’s previous work, which also includes Senna, the film will be a narrative feature.
It’s set at the start of the 20th century and follows founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce as they begin their journey within the motoring industry.
The project was initially announced in 2012 and was set to be produced by Richard Attenborough with co-producer Anthony Haas.
“I’ve been captivated by the story of Silver Ghost ever since Lord Attenborough came to me with the project, and I’m thrilled that we’re going to be seeing it through,” Haas said. “It’s a project that requires a great and innovative storyteller, and that’s exactly what we have with Asif Kapadia.”
In the announcement, Kapadia also spoke of his excitement of working with Scorsese. “What struck me when I read Silver Ghost was how this true story weaves together the lives of five remarkable people that changed the destiny of the western world. I am delighted to be working together with the legendary film-maker Martin Scorsese and Anthony Haas to bring it to the screen,” he said.
Scorsese’s work as a producer has covered a wide variety of projects, including period drama The Young Victoria, mob comedy The Family and the upcoming HBO show Vinyl. His next film as director is the Oscar-tipped Silence, starring Liam Neeson as a Jesuit priest facing persecution.
