Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese is partnering with Miramax to create a television series based on his 2002 movie “Gangs of New York.”

The movie, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis, spotlighted conflicts among rival gangs in New York in the mid- to late 1800s.

“The series will draw from the multitude of events surrounding organized gangs at the turn of the century and shortly thereafter in America, not only in New York, but in other cities such as Chicago and New Orleans and the birth of organized crime in America,” Miramax said in its announcement.

Scorsese said of the project: “This time and era of America’s history and heritage is rich with characters and stories that we could not fully explore in a two-hour film. A television series allows us the time and creative freedom to bring this colorful world, and all the implications it had and still does on our society, to life. I am excited to partner with Miramax in telling these stories.”

Richard Nanula, chairman of Miramax, added: “No one better exemplifies what the new Miramax is and will be better than Martin Scorsese. His dedication to quality and the art of storytelling continues to excite everyone that works with him and watches his films and television programs. We could not think of a better partner for this project than the creator of the wonderful film on which it is based.”

Scorsese won an Oscar for directing his 2006 movie "The Departed."