Martin Scorsese Teases ‘Goodfellas’-Style Hawaii Mob Film

Martin Scorsese is moving forward with a long-gestating Hawaii-set mob film that is now very close to a finished script and could head into production in 2027. The report says writer Nick Bilton has been working on the screenplay for about four months and is now roughly “95% done,” after receiving detailed notes from Scorsese himself.

An insider told Page Six that Scorsese pushed for a specific tone, saying, “Marty wanted it to be more voice-over-y, more ‘Goodfellas.’ Those were the marching orders Nick was given.” The idea is to bring back the fast, character-driven storytelling style Scorsese used in his classic crime films.

The same source added that Bilton has been refining the script while balancing other commitments, including his role at “60 Minutes.” The insider said he “spent the last four months implementing the notes,” suggesting the project has been actively evolving rather than sitting idle in development.

The film was reportedly sold to Disney about a year ago. According to Page Six, early reactions inside the studio were very positive. One insider said, “Everyone was ecstatic,” including members of the Disney team, as well as reported talent attachments like Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

The story focuses on real historical material, following the rise and fall of Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa, described as the first and only Hawaiian mob boss in the state’s history. The project would continue Scorsese’s long interest in organized crime narratives, similar in tone to films like “Goodfellas” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

However, there is still uncertainty about the production timeline. Page Six reports conflicting rumors about when filming might begin, with some speculation pointing to October, while other sources say that is not accurate. At this stage, insiders believe production is more likely to begin in 2027 or even later, depending on how the latest script revisions come together.

Scorsese is currently working on other projects as well, including post-production on “What Happens at Night,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence for Apple. Because of his busy schedule, the Hawaii mob film may have to wait for a clear production window.

The report also notes that rumors of a fall shoot may have come from confusion about Scorsese’s overlapping slate of projects. One insider suggested that another film could be the one filming sooner, not the Hawaii crime story.

For now, the project remains in development, but momentum appears strong. With a near-finished script, major studio backing, and a returning focus on Scorsese’s signature crime storytelling style, the film is shaping up to be one of his most anticipated future releases.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!