In one of the most anticipated collaborations in the film industry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are joining forces once again—this time as producers of the upcoming action-packed crime thriller Carthage Must Be Destroyed. Written and directed by Ted Griffin, the Ocean’s 11 scribe makes his feature directorial debut with this intense narrative set against the backdrop of a decaying Rust Belt town.
Production is slated to commence this October in Rhode Island. The movie centers on a lone drifter who arrives in a town oppressed by a merciless criminal syndicate. Drawing inspiration from classic crime movie plots reminiscent of Yojimbo and A Fistful of Dollars, the stranger ignites a wave of chaos among the corrupt local powers, aiming to liberate the town’s inhabitants from their ruthless oppressors.
Griffin, who has a rich background as a screenwriter with credits including Ocean’s 11, Ravenous, and Matchstick Men, is no stranger to working with this iconic duo. He previously collaborated with DiCaprio and Scorsese as co-producer and actor in the critically acclaimed The Wolf of Wall Street, where he portrayed one of the FBI agents instrumental in the downfall of Jordan Belfort.
The creative partnership between Scorsese and DiCaprio has a storied history. Since their first collaboration on the 2002 historical epic Gangs of New York—which came highly recommended by Robert De Niro—the pair has crafted some of cinema’s most memorable films, including The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Their recent reunion on Killers of the Flower Moon garnered some of the best reviews of their careers, and they are already slated to work together again on the historical drama The Wager.
Produced by a powerhouse team including Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Productions, Christopher Donelly of LBI Entertainment, and others, Carthage Must Be Destroyed is a collaborative effort involving Sikelia Productions, Appian Way Productions, Verdi Productions, and Ketchup Entertainment. Executive producers include Scorsese, DiCaprio, Lisa Frechette, and Sera Verdi.
While casting details and release dates remain under wraps, movie enthusiasts can expect Carthage Must Be Destroyed to deliver the thrilling intensity fans associate with both DiCaprio and Scorsese. For those eager to explore more about movie genres and crime thriller narratives, this upcoming film promises to be a standout entry in the genre.
