Robert De Niro Out, Sylvester Stallone In For Crime Drama Idol’s Eye

Creed and soon-to-be Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star Sylvester Stallone has agreed terms to join Idol’s Eye, Olivier Assayas’ long-anticipated crime drama that will see the industry veteran assume the role of Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo.

Screen Daily has the scoop, confirming that Stallone has been drafted in to replace Robert De Niro, who had been attached to play Accardo early on in development. Both Robert Pattinson and Rachel Weisz remain on board, and though Assayas’ feature has been hit with setbacks before – financing essentially fell through two years ago – Idol’s Eye is being prepped to enter production in February.

With a $25 million production budget in tow, the crime caper orbits around Robert Pattinson’s character, a “petty thief who unknowingly steals a blue diamond from Accardo and sparks a war between the two men as they strive to stay ahead of the FBI.” Little is known about the extent of Weisz’s role in Idol’s Eye, though we do understand the film has called upon Charles Gillibert, Alexandra Milchan, Scott Stuber, Scott Lambert and Michael Benaroya to produce.

Toronto will play host to Idol’s Eye come February, indicating that a late 2017 release isn’t off the table. Elsewhere, there’s also chatter of a follow-up to prison thriller Escape Plan. Stallone is currently attached to adopt a supporting role in the sequel, though it remains to be seen whether Arnold Schwarzenegger joins his old friend behind bars once again. Rambo, on the other hand, looks set to march forward without the action stalwart.