Note: The following contains spoilers for The Studio episodes 1 and 2.
The Studio, the new comedy series on Apple TV+ co-created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, has sparked considerable interest with its intriguing take on Hollywood. The premiere featured a noteworthy cameo by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, who pitched an idea for a film about the notorious Jonestown cult massacre to Rogen’s character, Matt Remick, the freshly minted head of Continental Studios. This imaginative suggestion has sparked renewed curiosity about Scorsese’s unwritten project dubbed “Kool-Aid.”
An Insight into Scorsese’s Jonestown Movie Pitch in The Studio
Aiming to Capture the 1978 Cult Tragedy
Image courtesy of Apple TV+
In the debut episode of The Studio, Scorsese presented his movie pitch shortly after Matt began his controversial tenure at Continental Studios. While Scorsese is celebrated for his captivating gangster films, including classics like Goodfellas and The Departed, his cinematic repertoire isn’t limited to crime stories; it also encompasses profound spiritual narratives seen in films like Silence, Kundun, and The Last Temptation of Christ.
The essence of Scorsese’s narrative on Jonestown reflects a determination to create a genuine representation of the horrific events that unfolded on November 18, 1978, where a staggering 900 individuals lost their lives under the influence of cult leader Jim Jones. Scorsese envisioned Steve Buscemi, known for his performances in Fargo and Boardwalk Empire, to take on the chilling role of Jones, encapsulating his rise and the subsequent fallout of his dystopian vision that sought to transcend societal norms.
The Potential of Scorsese’s Jonestown Film: A Gag in The Studio
Scorsese’s Legacy Suggests a Viable Jonestown Narrative
The comedic context of Scorsese’s pitch aligns cleverly with Matt’s predicament at Continental Studios—replacing the potential drama of a Jonestown film with the comedic aspirations of a franchise centered around the Kool-Aid brand beverage. While the character Griffin Mill, portrayed by Bryan Cranston, had visions of Kool-Aid resonating with the cultural phenomenon akin to Barbie, Matt made a tongue-in-cheek connection by naming Scorsese’s project “Kool-Aid,”playing on the tragic legacy associated with the Jonestown incident.
While it remains clear that Scorsese is not diving into a Kool-Aid film, and the portrayal is predominantly humorous within the context of The Studio, one can speculate on how masterfully he could handle such a harrowing subject matter if he chose to. Ultimately, after investing $10 million to acquire the rights for Scorsese’s proposed film, Matt recognized the need to distance the project from the negative stigma surrounding “Kool-Aid,”despite the actual use of Flavor Aid during the tragic event. Looking ahead, Scorsese’s future projects may include adaptations of The Devil in the White City, a Frank Sinatra biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio, or yet another exploration of Christ’s life.