Martin Scorsese documentary on Bill Clinton shelved over 'disagreements about control'

The HBO film could still go ahead in the future, according to the network

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks with the media during a press conference September 12, 2001 (Getty Images)

A Martin Scorsese documentary about Bill Clinton has been postponed indefinitely, according to reports.

The HBO documentary has been stalled over disagreements about control, the New York Times reports.

The TV film has been shot over the past two years and included footage of Clinton making a philanthropic visit to Africa.

It was expected to be released in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.

An unnamed source told the paper that Clinton wanted to approve the questions he would be asked in the film, and allegedly demanded final cut privilege.

A spokesperson for Clinton described the allegations as “inaccurate”.

Scorsese has yet to comment on the project, but HBO said the film could still go ahead. A spokesperson said: “It’s not happening soon but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”

When the documentary was announced in 2012, Clinton said he was pleased to become the subject of the “legendary director”.

Scorsese said in a statement that he hoped his film would “provide greater insight into this transcendent figure”.

It is thought the Clintons want to exercise greater control over their public image in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.

Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her candidacy for the Democratic Party this spring.

Scorsese is currently preparing to film his new film Silence in Taiwan.

A period piece about Jesuit priests, it stars Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield and is due to be released later this year in time for the 2016 Oscars.

The director told the Cannes Film Festival he had been working on the project since 1989.

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