Ray Romano Takes a Break from ICE AGE Sequels to Join THE IRISHMAN
Ray Romano, currently starring in the critically acclaimed hit
The Big Sick, is reuniting with Martin Scorsese, signing ono to join the high-wattage cast of
The Irishman.
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel and Bobby Cannavale are in various stages of dealmaking to board the pricey Netflix feature, which is based on the book by Charles Brandt,
I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and the Inside Story of the Mafia, the Teamsters, and the Final Ride by Jimmy Hoffa.
De Niro is portraying Sheeran, the tough Irishman hitman who is said to have carried out over 25 mob murders, including that of legendary Teamster head Hoffa (Pacino).
Romano will play Bill Bufalino, a Teamster lawyer with ties to the mob.
The movie, budgeted at over $100 million as it covers several decades of the characters’ lives, is due to begin lensing in August.
Jane Rosenthal and Emma Tillinger Koskoff are producing. Steve Zaillian wrote the script.
Romano is having a major moment this summer.
The Big Sick, in which he stars with Kumail Nanjiani, has garnered excellent reviews and has become the specialty hit of the summer (the movie is set to platform to a wide release this weekend). Romano also stars in
Get Shorty, Epix’s upcoming TV adaptation of the 1995 hit film that skewered Hollywood. The actor previously worked with Scorsese when he starred on the HBO series
Vinyl.
Ray Romano Joins Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman' (Exclusive)