One of the biggest deals at the Cannes Film Festival this year was fledging studio STX ponying up a staggering $50 million for the international rights to Martin Scorsese‘s “The Irishman.” It’s a figure that matches the huge expectations that are greeting the movie, before a frame has been shot, that will see Scorsese potentially work with a cast including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel. However, it appears one of those names needs a bit more convincing.
According to THR, Joe Pesci has reportedly turned down Scorsese’s offer for a role in the movie. Pesci has pretty much hung up his hat from acting, and hasn’t appeared in a film since 2010’s “Love Ranch,” directed by Taylor Hackford. And Scorsese isn’t the only offer that has come knocking on Pesci’s door.
Last month Louis C.K. revealed he approached Pesci for “Horace and Pete,” and not only did he turn him down, but offered some stinging criticism (“I watched your stand-up, which I can tell you’re just trying, and you’re no good at it…quit that now”).
Can “The Irishamn” be made without Pesci? Definitely, but you have to bet that part of the reason STX plunked down $50 million was the allure of having the movie that would bring back the trio behind “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and “Raging Bull.” Not to mention it makes marketing a slam dunk as well.
All that said, Scorsese is still hoping to twist Pesci’s arm and get him to appear in the movie, and if anybody can convince the actor to get in front of the camera again, it’s likely to be his old friend. For now, listen to Louis C.K. recount his meeting with Joe Pesci.
That’s it, Joe. Don’t be used again for just another gangster film that eats at your soul. That’s not who you are. Stay clear of this harmful scene.
Dude, Pesci hasn’t done a gangster flick in years.
And if you show his face and ask someone what he was in, what answer will they give you? That gangster film. Dude.
Lets see. Lethal Weapon series, Raging Bull, Home Alone series, Jimmy Hollywood, Gone Fishin’, Love Ranch. Nope, he not a gangster there.
want to read the script ?
Do you want to read the script?
sure
your E mail so i can send it to you ?
[email protected]
check your E mail
who wants to read the script ?
What a Dick move… like Robert Duvall turning down Godfather III level dick move.
Hope De Niro/Scorsese changes his mind.
If not, I got Pacino, DeNiro and Scorsese in a Steve Zaillian script. Good enough for me. It doesn’t torpedo the project I would assume so..bye felicia.
Godfather III was not the best sequel but, it would helped if RD was in it
Just to be clear I don’t exactly love GFIII. I think it’s deeply flawed with some greatness mixed within it. I think what gets it over is that it ends so well imo. I love the ending from the opera sequence on. It doesn’t stand with the first 2 films, no, but in that ending, to me it links itself to them beautifully. I generally rank it around an 7.5, but endings matter and I think that one is quite a stunner that gets the film over.
Btw- De Niro wanted to play Andy Garcia’s part “Vincent Corleone” but he was a little too old for that part.
I understand. I was just saying. If Mario wrote the novel first, it would be better. For real??? Why did DeNiro even asked lol