Martin Scorsese Sets ‘What Happens At Night’ as His Next Film
Martin Scorsese has officially committed to his next feature film, What Happens At Night, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence attached to star. The highly anticipated project is eyeing a January production start and is already drawing major attention across the film industry.
Apple Original Films is currently in talks to finance and produce the film alongside Studiocanal, which developed the project and acquired the rights to the novel. With an award-winning director, two A-list leads, and a prestige studio involved, What Happens At Night is shaping up to be one of the most buzzed-about films in development.
What Is What Happens At Night About?
Based on the novel by Peter Cameron, What Happens At Night is a dreamlike ghost story with psychological and surreal elements. The film follows a married American couple who travel to a remote, snow-covered European town in hopes of adopting a baby.
They check into a vast, nearly abandoned hotel where they encounter a strange and unsettling group of characters, including:
- A flamboyant chanteuse
- A depraved businessman
- A charismatic faith healer
As their stay unfolds, reality begins to distort. The couple’s sense of identity and trust in their own relationship starts to fracture, and the more they attempt to secure the adoption, the less they understand themselves and the life they thought they had built together.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence Star
What Happens At Night reunites Martin Scorsese with Leonardo DiCaprio, continuing one of the most successful director-actor collaborations in modern cinema. Their previous projects include The Wolf of Wall Street, Shutter Island, and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Jennifer Lawrence joins the project as the female lead, marking her first on-screen collaboration with both Scorsese and DiCaprio. The film brings together three Academy Award winners above the line, immediately positioning it as a major awards-season contender.
Lawrence was most recently seen in Die, My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay, which premiered at Cannes and is scheduled for a November release.
Apple Original Films and Studiocanal’s Involvement
Apple Original Films is negotiating to finance and produce What Happens At Night alongside Studiocanal. Apple previously backed Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and maintains first-look deals with Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and DiCaprio’s Appian Way banner.
The studio’s involvement reinforces Apple’s commitment to high-profile, filmmaker-driven projects with global reach.
Creative Team Behind the Film
The screenplay for What Happens At Night was written by Patrick Marber after Studiocanal acquired the novel’s rights in spring 2023. While Scorsese was initially attached only as a producer, the project evolved as other potential follow-ups fell away, leading him to take on directing duties as well.
The story’s psychological tone and shifting sense of reality echo themes explored in Scorsese and DiCaprio’s earlier collaboration Shutter Island.
Casting Directors for What Happens At Night
Casting for What Happens At Night is being handled by a highly respected team with extensive experience in prestige film productions.
Ellen Lewis
Ellen Lewis is one of the casting directors attached to the project. She is known for casting acclaimed films and for her long-standing collaborations with major filmmakers. Her notable credits include:
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
- The Dead Don’t Die (2019)
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Lewis has a strong reputation for assembling nuanced casts that elevate both lead performances and distinctive supporting roles.
Grant Wilfley Casting
Grant Wilfley Casting is also serving as a casting director on What Happens At Night. The company is widely recognized for working on major studio films and helping cast a broad range of roles, including principal, supporting, and character-driven parts.
With the film expected to feature an array of eccentric and mysterious hotel guests, the casting team will play a key role in shaping the film’s eerie and immersive world.
Why What Happens At Night Is Generating Buzz
Several factors are fueling strong industry interest in What Happens At Night:
- Martin Scorsese directing a surreal psychological story
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence starring together
- Apple Original Films’ involvement
- A European-set mystery filled with enigmatic characters
As production moves closer, additional casting announcements are expected, particularly for the film’s supporting and character roles.
Casting Call: “What Happens At Night” Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Featured Casting Call
Blind and Visually Impaired Background Actors for Feature Film
Job Description
A feature film is seeking blind and visually impaired individuals for paid background roles in various scenes filming in New York City. Production is looking for people of all types, ethnicities, and genders, and wants authentic representation on camera. This is a union-covered background opportunity with professional set experience on a major feature film.
Job Responsibilities
- Appear as background talent in feature film scenes
- Follow on-set direction from the assistant directors and production team
- Maintain continuity across takes while working in a structured set environment
- Be prepared for full filming days during the scheduled production window
Requirements
- Blind and visually impaired individuals
- All types, ethnicities, and genders welcome
- Must be able to work in New York City
- Must be available for filming during the scheduled May production window
- Must be able to present valid identification for employment eligibility
- If using a guide dog or support person, must be comfortable working with them on set as needed
Compensation
- SAG-AFTRA background rate: $234 for 8 hours
- Covered by SAG-AFTRA CBA (preference of employment may apply)
Apply for Upcoming Casting Opportunities on Project Casting
Major productions like What Happens At Night often lead to new casting calls and acting opportunities. To stay updated on auditions, casting notices, and entertainment industry jobs, be sure to check Project Casting regularly.
If you’re looking for your next role, please click here to apply now on Project Casting and explore the latest opportunities as they become available.
