Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Irishman: Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci reunite for new Martin Scorsese film on Netflix

Marty’s gangster drama finally feels real

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 30 July 2019 04:07 EDT
Comments
Irishman teaser trailer

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.

After what feels like an eternity, we’ve finally been treated to a glimpse at Martin Scorsese’s new gangster drama The Irishman.

The director’s first film since 2017 drama Silence, which has been confirmed to kick start this year’s New York Film Festival on 27 September, will unite actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci for the first time in a Scorsese film since 1995 film Casino.

New images show off the big reunion. In them, De Niro plays former hitman Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran with Pesci assuming the role of Russell Bufalin.

Other photos show Al Pacino, Ray Romano and Bobby Cannavale in character. You can see the stills below and wqatch the brand new trailer here.

The film has been Scorsese’s most expensive project to date as lots of CGI was required to make the 75-year-old De Niro look like a 30-year-old for scenes set in 1959.

Production began on the filmmaker’s long-gestating mob drama in 2016 with lucrative rights picked up at Cannes Film Festival. Netflix later acquired worldwide rights to the film for a reported $105m setting a budget of $125m.

Based on Charles Brandt’s book I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman marks the ninth collaboration between De Niro and Scorsese – and they’ve also set plans to work on a tenth alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Irishman will be available to stream on Netflix in November with a limited theatrical release expected in order to permit the film to compete at next year’s Oscars.

In an interview in June, Scorsese said Netflix was the only one willing to bankroll the ambitious film.

“No one else did. No one else did,” said Scorsese, who recenrtly release a Bob Dylan documentary on the streaming service.

“We decided to make it with the understanding that it’ll maybe never be shown in theatres. They said, ‘You would have a time in theatres’ — a few weeks or whatever. I said fine. The idea was to make the movie, you see.”

Additional reporting by Agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in