Director Martin Scorsese is currently in Prague preparing for the production of his new thriller, What Happens at Night, with stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence set to join him soon. DiCaprio confirmed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival that he will arrive in Prague within two weeks, kicking off one of the city’s most high-profile film projects in recent years, centering on the Martin Scorsese film Prague connection.
Preparations and Filming Schedule in Prague
Martin Scorsese’s daughter, Francesca Scorsese, has shared glimpses of her father’s time in Prague through Instagram, confirming active pre-production work. According to industry sources, principal location shooting is planned for late February in Prague’s city center, with further filming extending into mid-March. While some scenes will be shot in controlled studio environments, the city’s historic and versatile architecture is expected to convincingly stand in for the novel’s unnamed European winter town. Local film crews and studios will play a key role in supporting both interior and exterior sequences, further establishing Prague as a major hub for international movies.
The project is a collaboration between Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, Apple Studios, and Studiocanal. The screenplay, written by Patrick Marber, adapts Peter Cameron’s novel about an American couple who travel to a snowy European locale to adopt a child, only to find themselves in a mysterious hotel filled with strange and unsettling characters.
Production Team and Creative Collaborations
“It’s been an incredible learning process to for me to to just absorb his knowledge of of not only cinema history, but how he interprets it,”
Leonardo DiCaprio shared at the festival, describing his experience working with Scorsese.
“You know, the thought that he puts into he has films running all day long in his house. He lives and breathes cinema.”
“And to see how he takes all of that knowledge and infuses it into his his own art form is has just been incredible to watch […] We’re doing our next film called What Happens at Night with Jennifer Lawrence. I’m leaving in two weeks, so it’s going to be another journey.”
This film will represent the seventh time DiCaprio and Scorsese have collaborated, following projects including Killers of the Flower Moon, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Shutter Island. Jennifer Lawrence will be appearing in a Scorsese feature for the first time, although the director recently produced her film Die My Love. Rodrigo Prieto, Scorsese’s longtime cinematographer, is also involved, continuing his visual partnership with the director.
The film’s psychological thriller elements are consistent with Scorsese’s previous works such as Shutter Island, Cape Fear, and Taxi Driver. Prague’s winter atmosphere and historic streets will effectively create the film’s snowbound European town setting.
Cast Updates and Industry Significance
In addition to DiCaprio and Lawrence, Patricia Clarkson has been officially added to the cast. There are unconfirmed reports that Mads Mikkelsen could join the project as well, increasing the film’s star power. The ensemble includes several Oscar-winning and nominated actors, highlighting the film’s high prestige and expectations.
The presence of Scorsese and DiCaprio, combined with official film registration in Prague, underscores the city’s growing role as a preferred location for large-scale auteur films. What Happens at Night is anticipated to be one of the most culturally impactful international productions filmed in the Czech Republic in recent memory. It is expected to premiere at major film festivals worldwide, further raising Prague’s profile in the global film industry.
The movie is slated for release in 2027, reinforcing Prague’s position as a favored destination for top-tier filmmakers due to its combination of historic settings, skilled crews, and studio infrastructure.
