James Marsden 'Would Love to' Play Frank Sinatra: Could Tell His 'Tortured Stories and Some Uplifting Ones'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) James Marsden, Frank Sinatra.Photo:Lionel Hahn/Getty; Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty

Lionel Hahn/Getty; Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty

James Marsdenhas his eyes set on a dream role — and it involves singing.

While dreaming up his next role in an interview with theNew York Postpublished on Tuesday, Feb. 25, theParadisestar, 51, said he would love to portray a musician next, particularlyFrank Sinatra.

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Frank Sinatra.Silver Screen Collection/Getty

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

He envisions a Sinatra biopic filled with “so many stories” that haven’t been told.

“I just think there’s so many stories that could be told about that man – some of the really tortured and darker stories, and some uplifting ones as well. What he did, what he accomplished,” said Marsden. “I’ve never really done a biopic about somebody.”

James Marsden attends the Sonic The Hedgehog UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 10, 2024 in London, England.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Sinatra died in 1998 at the age of 82. Heleft behind three childrenand decades of memorable works infilm and music.

Marsden, whose most recent film is December’sSonic the Hedgehog 3, said it would be “a lot of fun” and he “would love to “make a biopic about Sinatra “like whatJamie Foxxdid withRay Charles.”

Singing in front of a camera is also nothing new to Marsden.

James Marsden in Hairspray.David James/New Line

David James/New Line

The actor’s film credits include 2007’sEnchanted, where he played Prince Edward, and its 2022 sequel,Disenchanted.

He also showed off his vocal talents when he played Corny Collins, the host ofThe Corny Collins Showin 2007’sHairspray, a film adaptation of the 2002Broadwaymusical of the same name (itself based onJohn Waters' 1988 movie starringRicki Lake.)

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Marsden told theNew York Postthat filmingHairspraymade him realize he wanted to pursue musical content further.

source: people.com