Scorsese to make 'Gangs of New York' TV series

Legendary US filmmaker Martin Scorsese is to make a television series of "Gangs of New York," the epic story he brought to the big screen in an Oscar-nominated 2002 movie. Scorsese is teaming up with film and TV studio Miramax to make the small screen series, about fighting between newly-arrived Irish immigrants and local "natives" in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Scorsese made the film -- which was nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture, best director and best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis -- after reading the book of the same name by Herbert Asbury. "He had always envisioned this story to be an American epic and will now get to see it more fully realized," said a joint statement by Miramax and Scorsese. The filmmaker added: "This time and era of America's history and heritage is rich with characters and stories that we could not fully explore in a two-hour film. "A television series allows us the time and creative freedom to bring this colorful world to life. I am excited to partner with Miramax in telling these stories," added Scorsese. The film focused on rival gangs in New York in the mid to late 1800's. The series will draw on events surrounding gangs at the turn of the 20th century and shortly thereafter not only in New York, but also in other cities such as Chicago and New Orleans, as well as the birth of organized crime in America, the joint statement said. Miramax chairman Richard Nanula praised Scorsese's filmmaking skills. "His dedication to quality and the art of storytelling continues to excite everyone that works with him and watches his films and television programs. "We could not think of a better partner for this project than the creator of the wonderful film on which it is based," he said, according to industry journal Variety. "Gangs of New York" grossed $77.8 million in the United States and another $116 million worldwide. Despite being nominated in 10 categories, it disappointingly won no Academy Awards.