“So far all he keeps saying is go f*ck yourself”: Robert De Niro Was Flatly Refused by Joe Pesci to Star in $250M Movie That Got Best Picture Nomination at Oscars

Robert De Niro is among the most popular and veteran actors in Hollywood. The actors are known for their action films and enduring rough and tough roles. Robert De Niro is known as one of the most influential actors of his generation. He has numerous accolades to his name, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, etc. He was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The actor has done numerous movies with another veteran star Joe Pesci.

There was a time when Joe Pesci was reluctant to work with Robert De Niro for the film, The Irishmen. He declined the offer to work with De Niro again after many years.

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Joe Pesci refused to work with Robert De Niro in The Irishman

The two OG action heroes Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci appeared together after many years for the Guys’ Choice Awards in 2016. The two actors reminisced about the good old days when they worked together in movies like Goodfellas and Casino. De Niro shared that their last film with Martin Scorsese was released more than twenty years ago. He said at the awards,

“It was the last time that … Joe and I did a picture with Marty, but, hopefully, that is gonna change, Joe,”

The actor said the statement about Scorsese’s next project name The Irishman. However, Pesci declined the offer.

De Niro said,

“Marty and I are planning to get back together for a movie I think will be a future ‘Guy Hall of Fame entry, that is if Joe has any more f*cks left in him. So far all he keeps saying is ‘Go f*ck yourself.’”

Pesci was adamant about not joining the project, but he teased the actor with a like from him movie Casino. He said,

“Thank you Bob… I think. You insulted me just a little bit, just a little bit.”

Apart from De Niro, the cast included Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, and Bobby Cannavale in prominent roles.

Also read- “He had me working 6 hours a night”: Robert De Niro Went Ballistic Over His Role in $29M Film, Kept Pressing His Co-star’s Father For Detailed Notes

Robert De Niro begged Joe Pesci to work in The Irishman

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci were among the most famous actor-pair in the entertainment industry. They have some of their best work working together as they bring out the best in each other. The duo worked together in seven movies over a long duration of 40 years.

When Robert De Niro approached Joe Pesci with an offer for The Irishman, the latter blatantly declined. As per reports by Entertainment Weekly, the actor was asked to become part of the film 40 times till he finally gave in.

De Niro said to EW,

“A lot of what I was saying was, ‘Come on, who knows if we’re ever going to have this chance again?’” “Let’s just do it.’ And he loves Marty and greatly respects him and knows that if he’s in Marty’s hands, it’s going to be okay.”

Robert De Niro and Pesci had worked as brothers in their first collaborative film in 1980, Raging Bull, hence De Niro was tasked with getting Pesci on board for The Irishman. Martin Scorsese shared with EW,

“Bob and Joe, they have their own language.”

The movie was made with a budget of $250 million and released on the OTT platform in 2019,

The Irishman is streaming on Netflix.

Also read-“I don’t look up to him anymore”: Robert De Niro Was Threatened by Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man 2 Co-Star After Actor Allegedly Refused to Work With Him in ‘The Irishman’

Source –IndieWire