With its dominance in television already secured, the Netflix streaming service has been branching out to narrative features in recent years, with films such asBeasts of No Nationand the upcomingBright, which released its first trailer during the Oscars this weekend. The streaming service has now made another bold move to acquire a highly-anticipated film, directorMartin Scorsese’sThe Irishman, which reunites silver screen legendsRobert De NiroandAl Pacino. Netflix reportedly shelled out $105 million for the global rights to this film, which is eyeing a 2019 release on Netflix that would come day-and-date with an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run.
IndieWirebroke this story as the film continues its work in pre-production, which was previously set up at Paramount Pictures.Martin Scorsesestill has a first-look production deal with Paramount Pictures that runs through 2019. Paramount also sold off the international rights toThe Irishmanfor $50 million to STX Entertainment at the Cannes Film Festival, while New Media Asia, which secured the Chinese distribution rights, is likely also out, as Netflix moves to acquire all world rights, as they’ve been accustomed to do in the past.
The story is based on the life of mafia hitman Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who is best known for his possible involvement in the murder ofJimmy Hoffa, who will be played in the movie byAl Pacino. This report also reveals thatRobert De Nirowill be “de-aged” to appear like he’s 30 years old again by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), using the technology fromThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button.Steven Zaillian(Gold) wrote the adapted screenplay forThe Irishman, based on the book “I Heard You Paint Houses” byCharles Brandt. This package with Netflix came together as Paramount chairmanBrad Greyis planning his exit. Here’s what an unnamed source had to say about movingThe Irishmanto Netflix.
“Scorsese’s movieis a risky deal, and Paramount is not in the position to take risks. This way, he can make the project he wants.”
The supporting cast also includesJoe Pescias Russell Bufalino, a Sicilian-born crime lord who at one point ran the entire East Coast mob for the Cosa Nostra organization, andHarvey Keitelas another Sicilian mafia boss, Angelo Bruno.Bobby Cannavalehas also come aboard to play New York City gangster Joe Gallo, whoThe Irishmanconfessed to killing on his deathbed. Throughout his entire career as a Mafia hitman, he kept this part of his life a secret from his family, only confessing to his crimes in the final five years of his life to writerCharles Brandt, who was a former prosecutor.Frank Sheeranpassed away at 83 years of age in 2003, just six weeks after he readCharles Brandt’s manuscript forThe Irishman, which was first published a year later in 2004.
This movie will be the ninth collaboration betweenRobert De NiroandMartin Scorsese, but surprisingly, this will be the first time bothAl PacinoandMartin Scorsesehave worked together. This also marks the third timeRobert De NiroandAl Pacinohave worked together, following the 1995 classicHeatand the 2008 filmRighteous Kill. With pre-production under way onThe Irishman, it remains to be seen when filming actually gets under way. However, if Netflix is in fact aiming at a late 2019 date, the streaming service may be taking its time with this project.
