AS WE MAY have mentioned half a dozen times already this year, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of Martin Scorsese's upcoming projects. We certainly mentioned that film about Jesuit priests in Japan and the long-gestated Frank Sinatra biopic. It now transpires that he has his eyes on a remake of Karel Reisz's 1974 picture The Gambler. The unjustly overlooked film, starring James Cann in the title role, was based on the Dostoevsky story of the same name, but was very much a personal project for screenwriter James Tobak. That scribe has taken public offence that Scorsese did not choose to consult him in advance.

Writing on Deadline.com, he commented: “My main feeling was one of disbelief that I was learning of these plans at the same time and in the same fashion as any of the regular devoted readers of this column.”

Tobak also criticises Paramount for not delivering the film to DVD. A modicum of research reveals, however, that The Gambler was released in that format as long ago as 2002 and is still available from many online retailers. Scorsese plans to cast (surprise, surprise) Leonardo DiCaprio in the Caan role. Hugo, his 3-D family film, will be with us in early December.

Marty has also recently finished a documentary on the life and work of George Harrison. Busy man.