Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro go for Irishman

Robert De Niro

Martin Scorsese has revealed that he is to team up with Robert De Niro for an epic ninth time with crime drama The Irishman .

The pair have been responsible for some of cinema’s finest dramas over the past 30 plus years, with notable team-ups Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and GoodFellas all earning both much kudos.

The Irishman marks the first time that Scorsese and De Niro have worked together in 15 years after 1995's Casino .

Based on Charles Brandt’s novel I Heard You Paint Houses , Irishman follows the life of former union official Frank Sheeran, who becomes a mob hitman.

The script is currently being polished by Gangs Of New York screenwriter Steve Zallian. Previously, the project was being touted as a vehicle for Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, though no word if they’re still involved.

Next for Scorsese is 3D kid film Hugo Cabret with Chloe Moretz, which opens December 2011.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.