Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel Join Martin Scorsese's The Irishman
Martin Scorsese has been trying to bring get true-to-life crime drama The Irishman to the big screen for over a decade now and after wrangling with financial difficulties, casting woes, and even a claim of legitimacy for the story itself, all keeping the movie from the big screen.
Now, the movie is finally going ahead and joining the cast, which already includes Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, will be Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, and, coming out of retirement, Joe Pesci – who according to Deadline, had been difficult to nail down for the role of Philadelphia Mafia boss Russell Bufalino before he finally agreed to take the part.
Adapted from Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses, ("painting houses" being slang for victims' blood spray) the film follows the life of mob hit man Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran (De Niro), whose career allegedly included the slaying of union leader Jimmy Hoffa.
After Paramount dropped out of the film, which will be written by Steven Zaillian, due to budgetary concerns, Netflix picked the movie up which will begin shooting in New York next month.
