The mythology that surrounds the creation of Martin Scorsese’s latest crime drama, “The Irishman,” is almost more interesting than the actual film itself. That’s no slight on the Netflix film, as it’s obviously very good and rightly earned plenty of awards recognition, but instead, it’s meant to explain just how interesting the creation of the film actually is. And not just the actual production, but the years of planning that went into making it happen. It’s a story that actually is pretty bittersweet for author Don Winslow.
READ MORE: Don Winslow Almost Worked With Elmore Leonard On A Film Adaptation Of ‘Unknown Man #89’
In a new column written for Deadline, the legendary crime author details the journey that begin with Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro signing to work on an adaptation of his novel “The Winter of Frankie Machine,” and ultimately, ended with the shocking departure of both men to work on a pipe dream of a film titled “The Irishman.” And in Winslow’s eyes, the destruction of his adaptation can be squarely put on the shoulders of screenwriter Eric Roth, known for films such as “The Insider,” “Munich,” and “A Star is Born,” among others.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Winslow said about the potential film being directed by Scorsese and starring De Niro. “[‘Frankie Machine’] went on the storied ‘fast track’ – the writing team of Brian Koppelman and David Levien was hired to do the screenplay, everyone was excited.”
He added, “I was on the phone with Koppelman and Levien, answering their questions, kicking around ideas. Script was written; if I remember correctly, locations were being scouted. Green light. It was a go. Then Eric Roth stuck his beak in.”
Apparently, Winslow is partially joking, but he does credit Roth for derailing the production of ‘Frankie.’
“To help De Niro research his role for hit man Frankie Machine, Eric Roth sent him a book called ‘You Paint Houses, Don’t You?,’ a quite good non-fiction work about a hit man,” Winslow said.
Of course, as we all know, “The Irishman” is an adaptation of the aforementioned non-fiction book. It’s no secret what happens next, as both Scorsese and De Niro have talked about the situation before. The filmmaking duo were so enamored by ‘Paint Houses’ that they canceled work on ‘Frankie Machine’ to begin developing “The Irishman,” leading to the disappointment of Don Winslow.
Adding a bit more intrigue to the whole situation is the fact that Winslow wrote that he still hasn’t watched, “The Irishman.”
“…I have to confess that I haven’t brought myself to see ‘The Irishman’ yet,” he said. “I should, I will, I understand that it’s very good. Of course it is, the director and the star are two of the very best. I’ll always be proud – sincerely – that you were at one time interested in a book of mine.”
“The Irishman” is now available to stream on Netflix. “The Winter of Frankie Machine” is, uh, not a film, yet, and is available to purchase if you would like to read it and imagine what Scorsese and De Niro could have done with it.
