Mickey Rourke’s feud with Robert De Niro ‘stopped him from getting role in The Irishman’
It turns out the actors have been feuding since 1987
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mickey Rourke has clamed that Robert De Niro stopped him from getting a role in new Scorsese film The Irishman.
The actor said they first fell out on the set of Alan Parker’s 1987 thriller Angel Heart, and have been feuding ever since.
“Marty Scorsese wanted to meet me for a movie with Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro,” Rourke told Italian TV show Live – Non è la D’Urso, referencing the new Netflix gangster film. “The casting person told my manager that Robert De Niro said he refused to work with me in a movie.”
Rourke added that he’s “upset” because he “needed the money”.
According to the Wrestler star, he “looked up” to De Niro like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino back in the 1980s, but changed his view after De Niro allegedly told him on the Angel Heart set: “I think it’s better if we don’t talk.”
“Now I don’t look up to him no more; I look through him,” Rourke said. “I came up from the s**t. He doesn’t know that life. I lived that f**king life, so every time I look him in the face I look right through his a**hole.”
De Niro's reps have been contacted for comment.
Based on Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman marks the ninth collaboration between De Niro and Scorsese.
In it, De Niro plays former hitman Frank Sheeran as both an 80-year-old and a 24-year old – and it was this task that caused the film to become the most expensive Scorsese has ever worked on.
The film’s limited theatrical run will start on 1 November before its Netflix premiere on 27 November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments