Martin Scorsese's latest film, "Killers of the Flower Moon," is a departure from his usual work. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, the movie is based on the true story of the murders of members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s. The Osage people had become incredibly wealthy after oil was discovered on their land, which led to jealousy and greed among the white settlers.

Originally, the film focused on the federal investigation into the murders, but as Scorsese and his team worked on the story, they decided to shift the focus to the relationship between Ernest Burkhart (played by DiCaprio) and Molly Kyle (played by Gladstone), an Osage woman whom he marries. This change in focus also led to a change in casting, as DiCaprio chose to play the role of Ernest instead of the investigator.

According to DiCaprio, the first version of the script didn't capture the heart of the story. However, during a reading, a small scene between Molly and Ernest sparked emotion and led the team to delve deeper into their twisted and bizarre relationship. Gladstone added that the original version would have made the FBI the central focus, but they wanted to highlight the Osage people's call for help instead.

The switch in casting and change in focus was met with resistance from the studio, but Apple TV+ came to the rescue and partnered with Paramount to release the film in theaters before streaming it on their platform. The change allowed Scorsese to explore the story's dark truth and shed light on an important part of American history.

The movie delves into the murder plot driven by greed, ignorance, and racism, masterminded by Ernest's uncle, William Hale, played by Robert De Niro. De Niro admitted to not fully understanding his character's motivations but described it as a feeling of entitlement and the banality of evil.

Gladstone, who plays Molly, highlighted the genuine bond formed between Molly and Ernest, despite the ulterior motives present. She expressed her initial intimidation working with DiCaprio but soon found him to be an incredible, talented, and generous actor who inspired her to focus on doing justice to their characters.

Scorsese, who is 80 years old, sees this film as an opportunity to shed light on an important part of American history before it is forgotten. He hopes that by showing the dark truth of the past, audiences can learn from it and prevent similar atrocities from happening again.

The film took around seven years to come together, and Scorsese acknowledges that time is running out for him to bring his visions to life. He wants every film he makes to matter and resonate with audiences. The final version of "Killers of the Flower Moon" differs greatly from the original, as Scorsese and DiCaprio decided to reveal the murders early on and explore the motivations of the perpetrators.

In order to understand these motivations, Scorsese believes it is essential to address the issue of white supremacy. He sees it as the underlying factor that allows people to devalue and harm those who are not from European or white culture. The director believes this mindset is still prevalent today and draws parallels to contemporary events, mentioning Donald Trump without explicitly stating his name.

To ensure the film's authenticity, Scorsese worked closely with the Osage people and incorporated their traditions and perspectives. This collaboration provided a breakthrough for Native American actress Lily Gladstone, who delivers a powerful performance in the film. Her emotional reaction during the premiere, caught on camera, went viral and showcased the impact the film had on her.

Overall, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a departure from Scorsese's usual style, shining a light on a dark chapter in American history with the hope of making a difference.