For quite a while now, there’s been talk of Robert Ne Niro reteaming with Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, based on Charles Brandt’s book, I Hear You Paint Houses, and while many have assumed it’d be next for the director after The Invention Of Hugo Cabret, he’s kept fairly quiet about his plans.
However, Digital Spy reports that at BAFTAs A Life In Pictures Q&A, Martin Scorsese said that Robert De Niro is now fully set for The Irishman, which is putting together funding and could shoot as soon as early 2011. That seems a bit soon, as with shooting on Hugo Cabret now expected to last until February and then much post-production work to be done, an early 2011 shoot would appear to be out of the question, but it does suggest The Irishman will definitely be next for the helmer and should be ready for release in 2012.
The film will be about Frank The Irishman Sheeran, a mob hitman responsible for more than 25 murders, who claimed he was the one who offed Jimmy Hoffa. Al Pacino and Joe Pesci are also rumoured to be involved.