As news spreads that Martin Scorsese is to co-produce the Leonardo DiCaprio and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Xtrme City, CS brings you some trivia on this celebrated filmmaker:

>>u00a0As a boy, Scorsese's parents would often take him to watch films.u00a0 Historical epics, Land of the Pharaohs and El Cid, appear to have had a deep and lasting impact on his cinematic psyche.

>>u00a0He has also cited Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray as a major influence on his career.

>>u00a0Scorsese's initial desire to become a priest was forsaken for cinema.

>>u00a0He is known for often casting the same actors in his films, particularly Robert De Niro, who collaborated with Scorsese for eight films. Most recently, Scorsese has found a new muse with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

>>u00a0In August 2007, Scorsese was named the 2nd greatest director of all time in a magazine poll, ahead of Steven Spielberg and after Alfred Hitchcock.

>>u00a0His recent works include Gangs of New York, The Aviator, the Bob Dylan's documentary No Direction's Home and The Departed, which earned four Oscars, including Best Director.