In 1984, Martin Scorsese agreed to direct his first movie as a gun-for-hire. It saved his career

After a difficult period marked by cocaine addiction and the cancellation of his biblical epic, Martin Scorsese agreed in 1984 to direct a sequel to *The Hustler*. Taking on a project he had not originated made him a hired director for the first time, but the work helped restore his creative momentum and revive his career.

Paul Newman, who wanted to reprise his role as pool shark Fast Eddie Felson, approached Scorsese after admiring *Raging Bull*. Scorsese and screenwriter Richard Price developed the film with Newman, while Tom Cruise was cast as his protégé; despite the star names, studios were wary of the project. Newman later won the Best Actor Oscar for *The Color of Money*, and Scorsese went on to revive *The Last Temptation of Christ*.