Martin Scorsese and Paramount Pictures have signed a four-yearfirst-look deal under which the filmmaker will direct and produce features,made-for-DVD, digital content and television for the studio and specialty labelParamount Vantage.

The deal marks Scorsese's first overall pact in several years, andwill commence on Nov 1. Paramount will have the opportunity co-finance andco-distribute all Scorsese features for third parties for the next four years.

Scorsese is riding high with The Departed, the biggest domestic release of hiscareer that has grossed more than $102m in North America and more than $151mworldwide.

"Marty and I have enjoyed great personal success together oflate," Paramount chairman Brad Grey said. "Now it is our greatprivilege to welcome Marty to the Paramount Pictures family - a motionpicture dream come true."

"I have had a great personal relationship with Brad Grey forseveral years now and am looking forward to working with him at Paramount, astudio rich in cinematic history and responsible for making some of my favoritefilms - Sunset Boulevard, Shane and The Heiress, among others," Scorsese added.

Scorsese is currently in pre-production on the untitled RollingStones documentary which Paramount will release in North America.

He is represented by Endeavor, Rick Yorn of The Firm and JakeBloom of Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal & LaViolette LLP.