Alright, let’s consider just a few Martin Scorsese-Robert De Niro films, and see if you can name one that didn’t meet your expectations – “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “Cape Fear,” “Casino.” Didn't think so. So feel free to anticipate “The Winter of Frankie Machine” with just as much faith in the duo’s abilities. Rarely do these two icons disappoint.
Paramount Pictures has hired screenwriters Brian Koppelman and David Levien (the brains behind the edgy, feel-cool-to-watch movies “Rounders” and “Ocean’s Thirteen”) to develop the script, which is adapted from Don Winslow’s 2006 novel of the same title. The story follows a former San Diego mafia hitman, Frank Macchiano, who is pulled back into the mob scene when he is asked to oversee a meeting between crime families. However, once Frankie realizes the meeting is a scheme to kill him, he must use his pat expertise to discover who’s after him and why.
Michael Mann (Heat, Public Enemies) was originally attached to direct, who has far more experience with action films than Scorsese. On the other hand, Scorsese and De Niro have such great chemistry, they can turn anything into Oscar gold. Pre-production has yet to begin, but when it does, surely you can expect details on this blog.
Come back to the "Reel Deal" next Friday for more Hollywood info. And for you IMDB devotees out there, you should know that you can’t find this information on that site unless you’re a paid ‘IMDB Pro’ member.
