Joe Pesci Had To Be Begged To Do "The Irishman"

July 27, 2024

Joe Pesci agreed to come out retirement for The Irishman, which is slated for a Nov. 1 theatrical release, but it took a lot of work to bring the legendary actor aboard for the upcoming film.

Co-star Kathrine Narducci, explained that Robert De Niro and director Martin Scorsese had to ask Pesci numerous times to come back for another Hollywood blockbuster. It took plenty of phone calls until Pesci finally agreed.

"Yes, he was funny," Narducci ssaid, via Adam Holmes of CinemaBlend. He said, ‘I hung up on Marty five times. Then Bob called me; I hung up on him three times! Then everybody was calling me and I hung up on everybody.’ Then, finally, he said yes."

The film is based on the story of Frank Sheeran (De Niro), who served in World War II. He was also a Mafia hitman who began working with Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). Both embarked on careers as prominent American union leaders.

Expectations are extremely high for this film, which will likely mark the final of Pesci's illustrious acting career. De Niro, Scorsese, Pesci and Al Pacino have a long and successful history together in movies. Pesci, De Niro and Scorsese worked together on major blockbuster movies Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995).

via www.filmlinc.org

Pesci retired from acting in 1999, with Lethal Weapon 4 marking his final movie for eight years. He later returned to the spotlight for The Good Shepherd (2006), a CIA film that De Niro directed and starred in. Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie were in the movie.

Four years later, Pesci returned again for Love Ranch (201o) which also starred Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston and Sergio Peris-Mencheta. Pesci also provided his voice for the 2015 movie, A Warrior's Tail.

The 76-year-old Pesci remains one of the biggest names in Hollywood, even though he hasn't been a full-time actor in 20 years. If this is indeed his final movie, he can be forever pleased about going out on a high note.

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