Report: Scorsese/Bill Clinton Documentary Halted After President Wanted ‘Control’ of Content

A planned documentary about the life of former President Clinton has reportedly been indefinitely shelved after director Martin Scorsese refused to give the 42nd President partial control over the project.

According to a New York Times article, sources say Scorsese and the former President have failed to find common ground in regards to control issues, with the acclaimed director unwilling to allow Clinton to cherry pick questions and content.

With a possibility of Hillary making a run at the White House in 2016, the one-time Commander-in-chief reportedly wants a say in the documentary’s final cut to prevent anything from compromising a potential campaign.

Without further explanation, Matt McKenna, a spokesman for President Clinton, called the reports “inaccurate.”

A representative for HBO told the New York Times of the project, “It’s not happening soon but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”

Scorsese spoke of the project in 2012, after it was announced, saying:

A towering figure who remains a major voice in world issues, President Clinton continues to shape the political dialogue both here and around the world.

…Through intimate conversations, I hope to provide greater insight into this transcendent figure.

Clinton also released a statement at that time, in which he stated, “I am pleased that legendary director Martin Scorsese and HBO have agreed to do this film. I look forward to sharing my perspective on my years as president, and my work in the years since, with HBO’s audience.”

This is not the first project about the former President and first lady to end up on the rocks. An NBC miniseries starring Diane Lane as Hillary Clinton was previously cancelled, as was as a proposed CNN documentary in 2013.

Rodham, a planned feature film project about the romance between a young Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham, has been halted in the development process since Lionsgate acquired rights to it in 2013, according to the Times.

Sources close to the project reportedly spoke on a condition of anonymity, due to confidentiality restrictions.