[soonahonsefalh]

Source: IGN - Scorsese and De Niro Reteaming

After Robert De Niro reteams with his Heat and Godfather co-star Al Pacino for Righteous Kill, he will reunite with Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese for the ninth time for the crime pic Frankie Machine.

The adaptation of Don Winslow's novel The Winter of Frankie Machine will be produced by De Niro's Tribeca shingle. DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com reports, "Scorsese is set to direct it for Paramount under his deal there."

The site adds that the title has been shortened to just Frankie Machine, and that it is expected to be Scorsese's next film following his Rolling Stones project.

Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Ocean's Thirteen) penned the screenplay adaptation. Don Winslow's official site had the following plot synopsis:

"Frank Machianno, aka Frankie Machine, retires from his life as a contract killer and begins a new life in San Diego. Far removed from any of the thrills of his mob life, he opens a bait shack on Ocean Beach Pier, runs three other legit businesses, and when nothing else demands his attention, puts his board in the water and rides the waves. Not a bad life for the 62-year-old Vietnam vet; at least most of the time it is quiet. Frankie's life however returns to the tension, suspense and terror of the 'old-days' when the head of the Los Angeles syndicate calls in a marker, and asks him for backup during a meeting with members of the Detroit mob. The meeting is suppose to be an effort to resolve the current disputes between the two groups, but turns out to be a setup to end Frankie's life." At first I kind of misread the opening paragraph and thought that Scorsese had signed on to direct Righteous Kill, which would have been out of this world, but hey this is still amazing news. I remember reading a while ago that De Niro was planning to make this film, albeit I didn't know anything about the story. Sounds pretty good, I can't imagine De Niro surfing though.

I'm wondering if Frank Vincent, Harvey Keitel or Joe Pesci will be offered parts.

[Kokomoxcvcv]

Scorcese and De Niro will hopefilly make a damn good film out of what isn't the most exciting premise otherwise.

Nice to see De Niro is in something looking half-decent. Recently he seems willing to do anything for some pocket money.

[capeAngedlelp]

The story seems alright. I would have changed the locations though. Detroit isn't really a believable place, but it's just a movie, right?

It's nice to see DeNiro, Pacino and Marty together. They are an unstoppable trio. I'd love to see Pesci in the movie. Him and DeNiro always have great chemistry.

[teridbruse]

After his Rolling Stones documentary? He still has a Theodore Roosevelt bio-film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Silence on his slate after the Stones documentary. I'm thinking it'll probably be 2010 before we see the film.

Either way, I'm definitely glad to hear this news. Can't go wrong with either Scorsese or De Niro.

[bashansasasasa]

Interesting. I'm not a big Scorsese fan (and I'm sorry for those of you who just fainted out of shock at those words, as it is the usual reaction when I say them), but I am a big De Niro fan. Let's hope this one won't be 3 hrs of nothing leading up to an anti-climatic ending.

ps- UB, I love your Dick Tracey theme! Awesome!

[duminyricky]

I heard 50 Cent supposed to be in this movie....

[QuidQuoPro]

I heard 50 Cent supposed to be in this movie....

Are you joking?

If not, then show your proof. I don't believe there's any way in hell that Scorsese would put a guy like 50 cent in his movie.

[intisgunkas]

50 cent is indeed in the film, he is playing the role of a drug dealer. It was announced last week I believe.

[RarensussyRen]

Oh, well in that case, I can see him being in the movie. I was under the impression that Scorsese casted him in a major role.

[Vezazvqw]

Are you joking?

If not, then show your proof. I don't believe there's any way in hell that Scorsese would put a guy like 50 cent in his movie.

LMAO! that was just funny to me, DeSernio. "Are you joking?" LOL, "oh, no!" LOL.
sounded like you paniced, LOL.

should be a nice film. DeNiro. Pacino. I'm already at the movie theater. adding 50 would add to the younger crowd. I like 50--him playing a drug dealer is a PERFECT role for him. heh, I don't think he needs to go to much acting school for that. I also heard he was some kinda boxer or somethin' on the side in this movie....

[Sandra_18X]

I hope 50's role is minor as I can't stand him. I'm sure playing a drug dealer will be a very difficult stretch from him as an actor.

But it's about damn time Scorsese and DeNiro worked together again. That would have been.... legendary if Al Pacino was in the movie too. Then add in Joe Pesci. I would have fainted.

[PVaQlNaP]

Yeah I think some people have misinterpreted this.

Al Pacino is co-starring with De Niro in Righteous Kill, he is not a part of the Scorsese/De Niro project. To my knowledge the only time that Scorsese and Pacino even came close to working together was when Pacino was offered the role of Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas.

[Mjyzpzph]

An update, one which is hopefully proved false:

Source: IGN - De Niro's Machine Breaking Down?

Martin Scorsese has reportedly dropped out of directing the crime flick Frankie Machine, which would have re-teamed him with Robert De Niro. De Niro is attached to star as the title character, a retired Mafia hitman.

According to Collider.com, "It seems quite likely the production will fall apart without (Scorsese's) involvement." No reason was given for the Oscar-winning filmmaker's apparent departure.

The film is set-up at Paramount. The adaptation of Don Winslow's novel The Winter of Frankie Machine -- scripted by Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Ocean's Thirteen) -- is being produced by De Niro's Tribeca shingle.

Frankie Machine follows a retired mob hitman-turned-bait shack owner who gets pulled back into The Life. Damn.