Even at 73 years young, Martin Scorsese remains one of the most prolific directors in the entire industry, and will soon be prepping for the release of 17th century epic Silence later this year. But if there’s one project that consistently feels like ‘the one that got away’ for Scorsese, it’s The Irishman, a big-screen rendition of Charles Brandt’s true-crime novel I Heard You Paint Houses.
Boasting many of the gangster tenets that Scorsese is celebrated for – think The Departed, Goodfellas or Casino – late last year it was confirmed that the filmmaker had set sights on Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, and though the latter actor later decided to pass up the chance to reunite with Scorsese, it appears that The Irishman has finally settled on a start date.
At least, that’s according to production designer and long-time Scorsese collaborator Dante Ferretti, who told Variety that although Silence remains the priority in this moment, conversations are ongoing as to when the cameras can start rolling on The Irishman.
“We’ve talked about it; but we still have to see when and how it will be shot. I never say ‘I’m doing to do this or that’ until it’s signed. Theoretically we’ve talked about shooting this film next year in February or March,” he said.
If Ferretti’s estimations hold true, it would align with previous rumors suggesting The Irishman is eyeing a 2018 release date. Gangs of New York scribe Steve Zaillian is still attached to adapt Brandt’s page-turner, one which chronicles the deathbed story of mob hitman Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran, who developed a reputation on the streets once it emerged that he held insider knowledge relating to the disappearance and subsequent death of Jimmy Hoffa.
We’ll be keeping track of The Irishman as it nears a production start, whenever that may be. Silence, meanwhile, opens via limited release on December 23 and stars Liam Neeson, Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield.
