De Niro takes on double duty in mobster movie 'The Alto Knights'

Record ID: 1983056

  • Title: De Niro takes on double duty in mobster movie 'The Alto Knights'
  • Date: 13th March 2025
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 13, 2025) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PHOTOGRAPHERS / DE NIRO SPEAKING WITH REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR, ROBERT DE NIRO, SAYING: "There were other mob characters played by actors that we had hired, and I interviewed a few of them, the ones I thought might be good for doing the other character, Vito, or
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Alto Knights Alto Knights London premiere Alto Knights film Barry Levinson Debra Messing Irwin Winkler Robert De Niro The Alto Knights
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: UK
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Film
  • Reuters ID: LVA005767210032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Acclaimed actor Robert De Niro plays not one but two lead characters in the biographical crime drama "The Alto Knights".
    Based on true events, the film is set in 1950s New York, with the two-time Oscar winner portraying rival Italian-American mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
    At times taking a documentary film style approach, "The Alto Knights" recounts the old friends' shared past and the events leading to their rift and a failed assassination attempt on Costello. Their power struggle plays out in tense scenes, some of which see Costello and Genovese clash face to face.
    The movie is directed by "Rain Man", "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Wag the Dog" filmmaker Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, known for "Goodfellas" and "Casino". It is produced by De Niro's long-time collaborator Irwin Winkler and working with the trio convinced the actor to return to the mobster genre.
    "I wasn't planning on going back to it, but when Irwin Winkler sent me the script, I said 'let me consider'," De Niro said at the film's London premiere on Thursday (March 13).
    "When we were talking about who'd play the other part, they wanted me for Costello, he (Winkler) said 'well, what about if you play the other part?' I said 'that's an even better reason to do this, if I do do it," the 81-year-old actor added.
    Winkler, 93, said he couldn't think of anyone else better suited for the opposing role.
    "We didn't do it with any visual effects. It was all really makeup and just him," said Winkler. "Even after seeing the film so many times, I see two different characters. I don't see one man playing them."
    De Niro said he enlisted a co-star to help act out scenes featuring both of his characters.
    "I settled on one guy I thought would be good, his name is Joe. He played the Gambino part and he learned both parts. So, I did it with him and he was a tremendous help."
    "The Alto Knights" also stars "Will & Grace" star Debra Messing as Costello's wife Bobbie, while "Shogun" actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays gangster Vincent Gigante.
    Asked if the experience had inspired him to challenge himself further, De Niro, who has several new film projects lined up, said: "now I'm just trying to keep up with everything I'm doing".
    "The Alto Knights" begins its global cinematic rollout on March 19.
    (Production: Gerhard Mey, Hanna Rantala)
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