Leonardo DiCaprio Sets His Eyes Beyond Oscars 2026 With Martin Scorsese's Ghost Story Adaptation

Published 02/24/2026, 9:30 PM EST

With one Academy Award and multiple Golden Globe wins to his name, Leonardo DiCaprio has spent decades circling the highest tiers of Hollywood recognition. His long-awaited Oscar arrived for his grueling performance in The Revenant, after years of memorable near-misses, and his recent turn in Killers of the Flower Moon once again placed him at the heart of awards conversations. Just as that buzz refuses to fade, DiCaprio appears poised to etch his name into yet another nomination cycle, with an upcoming 2026 psychological ghost story adaptation.

As headlines build ahead of 2026, it is not just the routine awards buzz surrounding Leonardo DiCaprio, but a new project that sees him stepping into fresh thematic territory alongside a legendary director.

Leonardo DiCaprio eyes the screen once again with a gothic adaptation

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With speculation mounting, Leonardo DiCaprio appears ready to reunite with longtime collaborator Martin Scorsese, who is reclaiming his command behind the camera once again following the widely acclaimed Killers of the Flower Moon. After steering one of 2023’s most talked-about historical dramas, Scorsese is set to cast DiCaprio in something far more intimate with the upcoming gothic adaptation, What Happens at Night.

The reunion alone has been enough to ignite industry-wide curiosity. Each time Scorsese places DiCaprio at the center of a new project, it signals more than casting; it signals intent. From Gangs of New York to The Wolf of Wall Street, a story that is still being toldand most recently Killers of the Flower Moon, their collaborations have repeatedly shaped the awards narrative and dominated the cultural conversation.    

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Since news broke about the 2026 project, the internet has been buzzing with whispers of what is stirring behind the scenes. As the DiCaprio–Scorsese reunion is now officially underway, the spotlight is no longer fixed solely on Leonardo but on other names quietly lining up behind the curtain of What Happens at Night.

Everything you need to know about Martin Scorsese’s ghost story adaptation

For the seventh time, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are teaming up, a duo that has consistently captured fans’ hearts. DiCaprio is back in the spotlight as the lead of the 2026 film, sharing the screen with Jennifer Lawrence as co-lead, a pairing already sending waves of excitement across entertainment circles. 

The ensemble continues to grow, with Mads Mikkelsen joining as Brother Emmanuel, alongside Patricia Clarkson and Jared Harris. Each addition brings serious weight, raising expectations even higher.

Principal photography for the adaptation has already begun in Prague this month, with the city’s historic streets and architecture setting the perfect gothic tone. Furthermore, production is expected to move across select European locations as the project pushes toward its 2027-2028 rollout. 

Adapted from What Happens at Night, the film thrives on psychological tension, following a couple whose ordinary world slowly unravels into something deeply unsettling. In an interview, DiCaprio revealed that Scorsese asked him to study other adaptations to fully catch the rhythm of the story.

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“Had a conversation with Marty about it. Any time you get to sit and talk with him about movies, it’s like a religious experience… ‘Is she a ghost, or is she not a ghost? Is he a ghost? What is it?" — Leonardo DiCaprio in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Just like with Killers of the Flower Moon, Leonardo DiCaprio seems once again ready to rule the headlines of 2026 with the gothic ghost adaptation, What Happens at Night. Teaming up with Martin Scorsese, the duo promises something entirely new this time.

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Are you excited to witness Leonardo DiCaprio once again on the screen? Let us know in the comments.

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Lisa Roy

8 articles

Lisa Roy is an Entertainment Writer at NetflixJunkie, bringing Hollywood’s biggest moments to life through crisp news and fan-focused feature stories. With a Master’s in English Literature and over four years of experience across national and international domains , she is known for an eye for stories that fans instantly connect with. While she enjoys covering real-world gossip, she is deeply drawn to fictional universes of wizardry and witches.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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