EXCLUSIVE: IM Global will commence pre-sales at Cannes on Martin Scorsese’s Silence as the Oscar-winning director gears up for a trip to the Croisette and mulls over a second deal with the same parties for The Irishman.

Stuart Ford’s IM Global reunited recently with Access Industries chief Len Blavatnik to acquire international rights to Scorsese’s long-gestating tale of 17th century missionaries in Japan after Emmett/Furla committed to finance the project.

Ford and sales chief Jonathan Deckter will kick off talks on the prestige title during the market. Silence is based on the acclaimed 1960s novel by Shusaku Endo. WME Global represents US rights.

Blavatnik and IM Global collaborated at last year’s market on sell-out The Butler, however the Russian-born billionaire’s team will play no part in actively selling Silence, contrary to a report elsewhere.

Meanwhile, ScreenDaily understands that the parties could all step in to replicate their roles on crime drama The Irishman, which has Robert De Niro and Al Pacino reportedly lined up to star alongside Joe Pesci.

As things stand, such a deal would only take place if Emmett/Furla options its right to finance that project too. Steve Zaillian adapted the screenplay from author Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses, however sources said it would be too soon to introduce The Irishman to buyers.

IM Global did not return calls to comment on the story.

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