It’s been a long while since we’ve heard anything about The Irishman, which would tell the story of Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran, a trade union official suspected of over 25 mob murders, including – allegedly – that of Jimmy Hoffa.
The project has Robert De Niro attached in the lead role, with Martin Scorsese linked to the director’s chair and a mouth-watering supporting cast that includes Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel. While it appears that the film may have found itself stuck in development hell, De Niro has spoken to the NY Post, stating that he’s hopeful the project will see the light of day.
“We have been trying to do [the film] for the last few years, and I think we will do it,” says De Niro. “It’s based on [the] book ‘I Heard You Paint Houses’ by Charles Brandt. It’s about a guy who . . . confessed that he killed Hoffa and Joe Gallo. I’m gonna play that character. That’s something I’m looking forward to very much . . . I think it will [happen] . . . we’re really working towards making it happen.”
Are you excited at the prospect of De Niro reuniting with Scorsese, Pacino, Pesci and Keitel? I’m guessing that’s a bit of a silly question really…
Originally published February 19, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
