Martin Scorsese will direct a biopic of seminal New York punk quartet The Ramones which is being primed for release in 2016 to mark the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut album, according to reports.

The Wrap cites sources close to the film project who claim the Oscar-winning film-maker is involved, while Billboard magazine makes reference to the Ramones estate trustees. The project is said to be in the early stages and does not yet have a writer.

“The big 40th anniversary is gonna be celebrated in 2016 with the release of the first record,” estate manager Jeff Jampol told Billboard at a Johnny Ramone tribute event on Sunday. “They got together in 74, they started playing some shows, they were a small local band, but the world became aware of the Ramones when they released their first record in 76. And that’s the year we’re celebrating.”

Scorsese could be a perfect fit for the project given his passion for the music and film’s likely setting of the mid-70s. The director’s early movies Mean Streets (1973) and Taxi Driver (1976) focus on the tough underbelly of New York where the Ramones first made their way.

The last living Ramone, original drummer Tommy, died in July; the quartet’s other members, lead singer Joey, guitarist Johnny and bassist Dee Dee, died in 2001, 2004 and 2002 respectively.

Scorsese’s next film, Silence, is due to enter production next year and is being tipped for the 2016 Oscars. Adapted from the 1966 Shūsaku Endō novel of the same name, it centres on a pair of priests who become persecuted after trying to bring Christianity to Japan in the 17th century. The film-maker has assembled a heavyweight cast, with Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver.