Netflix debuts Scorsese's 'Irishman' trailer with De Niro, Pacino

NEW YORK - AFP

Netflix on July 31 unveiled the trailer for Martin Scorsese's long-awaited new film, "The Irishman," a major project for the streaming giant featuring powerhouse Oscar winners Robert de Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, all digitally enhanced to look younger.

The crime epic tells the story of powerful union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino), crime boss Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (De Niro), who claimed he killed more than 25 people on their orders.

The film is adapted from "I Heard You Paint Houses," a book by Charles Brandt based on interviews with Sheeran.

This is the first time that Pacino has worked with Scorsese, and the ninth that De Niro has collaborated with the Oscar-winning veteran director.

Producers have used anti-aging digital effects -- based on a technology first developed by Industrial Light & Magic, founded by George Lucas. 

The result is striking, particularly on the 75-year-old De Niro, who is made to look decades younger.

The film falls squarely in the wheelhouse of Scorsese, known for other crime epics like "Goodfellas," "Casino" and "The Departed." This time, he is working within the confines of real-life events.

The project has been in development for a decade and was rejected by several studios, mainly because of its high cost, before finding a home at Netflix.

According to several reports, the budget has exceeded $140 million.

The film will make its world premiere on opening night of the New York Film Festival on Sept. 27. Getting the film is a coup for the festival, as it is one of the most anticipated movies of 2019.

Netflix plans to release the film in theaters before year's end to ensure its eligibility for the Oscars.