Art Linson’s ‘The Comedian’ Set For Another Robert De Niro & Martin Scorsese Reunion?

Is Robert De Niro set to return to the comedy world with regular collaborator Martin Scorsese?

After their twisted exploration of Rupert Pupkin in “The King Of Comedy,” De Niro is reportedly interested in a script by producer Art Linson called “The Comedian” which follows the exploits of an insult comic described as Don Rickles meets Joan Rivers, with Scorsese being eyed as the man to helm. It certainly sounds like a fascinating prospect with the role noted to be “a serious role with Oscar potential” for the actor and one “quite different than Rupert Pupkin” with stand-up aspects of the script penned by current New York Friars’ Club “Roastmaster General,” Jeffrey Ross.

It remains to be seen, however, how concrete De Niro’s interest is and if the pairing with Scorsese is anything more than a pipedream for Linson — apparently he’s got everything “set up an financed” with the next step to attract the helmer. De Niro and Scorsese, of course, are already set for an upcoming reteaming in “The Irishman” with Al Pacino and Joe Pesci but the director also has his long-gestating Jesuit-priest drama “Silence” with Daniel Day Lewis set to go next and has the recently announced ‘Five Obsctructions‘ collaboration with man-of-the-moment Lars Von Trier on the horizon. Does Scorsese even have room on his calendar for it?

We’re sure that Scorsese will take a peek at the script but we’ll be surprised if he takes it on.[Showbiz411]