Scorsese Preps New Mafia Film 'Midnight Vendetta'

Legendary director's latest crime drama set in 1890s New Orleans

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:40pm

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A striking black silhouette of a person holding a gun, set against a high-contrast red and black background, conceptually representing the gritty crime drama of Scorsese's new film.Scorsese's latest crime drama explores the dark history of the Sicilian mafia's arrival in 1890s New Orleans.New Orleans Today

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese is reportedly planning to shoot two new films this year, including a potential mafia movie titled "Midnight Vendetta" that would be a historical crime drama centered on the arrival of the Sicilian mafia in New Orleans around 1890, culminating in the assassination of Police Chief David Hennessy and the subsequent mass lynching.

Why it matters

Scorsese is renowned for his gritty, realistic depictions of organized crime, and a new mafia-focused film from the director would be highly anticipated by fans of the genre. The story's setting in 1890s New Orleans also provides an intriguing backdrop, exploring a lesser-known chapter of American crime history.

The details

Details on "Midnight Vendetta" are still scarce, but the film would reportedly focus on the influx of Sicilian mafia members into New Orleans in the late 19th century and the events leading up to the 1890 assassination of Police Chief David Hennessy, which was followed by the lynching of 11 Italian-Americans, one of the largest mass lynchings in U.S. history.

  • Scorsese is reportedly planning to shoot two new films in 2026.

The players

Martin Scorsese

An acclaimed American filmmaker known for his gritty crime dramas, including classics like "Goodfellas" and "The Wolf of Wall Street".

David Hennessy

The New Orleans Police Chief who was assassinated in 1890, an event that sparked a mass lynching of Italian-Americans in the city.

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The takeaway

Scorsese's potential return to the mafia genre with "Midnight Vendetta" has fans of crime films eagerly anticipating the director's next project, which could shed light on a lesser-known but pivotal moment in American organized crime history.