Raging Bull: Martin Scorsese Calls Lawsuit Against Him ‘Absurd’

Martin Scorsese finally responded to a lawsuit filed against him earlier in the week, calling the claims against him “absurd” and saying that the lawsuit “has all the earmarks of a media stunt.” And we should listen to him. Because he’s Martin Scorsese.

The legendary director responded Friday to a lawsuit filed against him by Cecchi Gori Pictures Wednesday in a Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit claims that Scorsese violated contracts that he signed in order to adapt the Japanese novel Silence.

“It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures,” Scorsese said in a statement. “The claims asserted are completely contradicted by, inconsistent with, and contrary to the express terms of an agreement entered into by the parties last year.”

The lawsuit details a written agreement between Scorsese and Cecchi Gori back in 1990 which had Scorsese directing the film after his Kundun, made in 1997. Instead, Scorsese made a bevy of other successful films like Gangs of New York, The Aviator, and The Departed, leaving Cecchi Gori to wonder when Silence would make it to Scorsese’s schedule.

Silence would have been adapted from Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel, about a Jesuit missionary sent to 17th century Japan where Christians were persecuted. Scorsese allegedly agreed to pay fees for each film he made before taking on the novel’s adaptation.

Wolf of Wall Street is Scorsese’s next project, and the director thinks that the lawsuit is popping up at a suspiciously convenient time.

“The lawsuit filing on the eve of Mr. Scorsese starting another picture has all the earmarks of a media stunt,” the statement continued. “Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action.”

Team Scorsese!