Martin Scorsese Lawsuit -- PAY UP for Bailing on Our Movie for 20 Years

Legendary director Martin Scorsese has been blowing off a movie he agreed to make 22-years ago, according to a new lawsuit -- and now it could end up costing him several million dollars.

The lawsuit was filed by Cecchi Gori Pictures -- big time producers of movies like "Seven" and "A Bronx Tale" -- and claims Scorsese entered into an agreement to direct a film called "Silence" ... way back in 1990.

However, Cecchi Gori claims the project was eventually put on the back burner so Martin could direct 3 other little films -- "The Departed" ... "Shutter Island" ... and "Hugo" -- but only for a price.

According to the suit, Scorsese paid for the right to do each of those films before "Silence" -- but never forked over the hefty fee for "Hugo."

The suit alleges Scorsese owes Cecchi a flat fee of $1.5 million, plus the value of his producer title on "Hugo" ... PLUS 20% of his back-end on "Hugo" -- which you gotta figure is considerable since it was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 5.

According to the docs, Scorsese previously reached an agreement in 2004 to make "Silence" his next movie. Obviously, that hasn't happened ... and now Cecchi Gori says Martin is pushing off their movie again to make "Wolf of Wall Street."

Cecchi Gori is suing for the unpaid fees on "Hugo," and any other movie Scorsese ends up making before "Silence" -- so, basically ... a truck-load of cash.