Robert De Niro a trip down memory lane and 2 new movies for 2019

New movie for 2019 "The Irishman" reunites Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in a much anticipated collaboration with Director Martin Scorsese.

This will be the fourth film to star both De Niro and Pacino and the ninth feature collaboration between De Niro and Scorsese. 

Reportedly the film's budget ballooned from $125 million to $140 million, partly due to the special effects magic needed to transform the appearance of De Niro and Pacino so they look 30 years younger at various points throughout the film. 

The Irishman is based on the 2003 book "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt, which recounts the life of mob hitman Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran who is played by De Niro in the movie.

"It's the milieu of the pictures we've done together and are known for, in a sense, but I hope from a different vantage point," says Scorsese. "Years have gone by and we see things in a special way, I hope."

Fantasy crime movie "Joker", starring Robert De Niro is also due for release late 2019.

During an interview with Indie Wire, De Niro confirmed his role is a nod to the character he portrayed in Martin Scorsese's 1982 black comedy classic, "The Kings of Comedy".

Based on the well-known DC Comics character the Joker is played by Joaquin Phoenix and De Niro's character, superstar Bobby D spurs his descent into madness. 

Directed by Todd Phillips, from a script he co-wrote with Scott Silver, Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert de Niro, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais, and Shea Whigham.

Robert De Niro’s brilliant take on the part of Vito Corleone that was created by Marlon Brando in the first Godfather film made him an international star. He is probably most well-known for his dramatic performances as a fearsome gangster, however he has made over 95 movies and won two Oscars for:

• Best Actor in a Supporting role - Vito Corleone, The Godfather: Part II 
• Best Actor in a Leading Role - Jake LaMotta, Raging Bull

In addition to dramatic roles, De Niro has also starred in comedies including: The King of Comedy, Midnight Run, Wag the Dog with Dustin Hoffman, Analyze This and Analyze That with Billy Crystal and the Meet the Parents franchise with Ben Stiller. 

Perhaps less-known, is that De Niro has directed and starred in two films:

• A Bronx Tale with Joe Pesci 
• The Good Shepherd with Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie

TRIVIA - see answers below

1. What movie starring Robert De Niro impressed Francis Ford Coppola so much that he offered him the part of young Vito Corleone in The Godfather, Part II without a screen test? 

2. What film festival was founded by Robert de Niro?

Robert De Niro, whilst having a long and lustrous career in film making, is also an astute businessman and entrepreneur.   

Maybe you have heard of the restaurant Nobu? 

Nobu is known for serving glamorous celebs around the globe.  

De Niro partnered with chef Nobu with one single high profile restaurant in New York City and now there are over 35 restaurants worldwide,including Asia Pacific, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East, South Africa and even at sea on the luxurious six star Crystal Cruise Line.  

In this video Robert De Niro explains how he became involved in the enterprise.

Robert De Niro was approached by Artisan Spirits Merchants (ASM) in 2012 to partner with them in their ultra-premium brand VDKA 6100 which is handcrafted in New Zealand. New Zealand was chosen as the purity of the ingredients means they only have to distil it a few times which retains the character and results in a "truly distinctive, elegant, luxurious vodka".

De Niro says :[VDKA 6100] tasted great and I liked the story behind it, it's that simple"

Positioned in the same space as Belvedere and Grey Goose, De Niro was instrumental in the initial launch of the brand in New York. "We were always going to launch in New York first," ASM general manager Nick Mann reported in the Financial Review.

Robert De Niro and two other actors from The Godfather Part II were nominated for Academy Awards in 1974, do you remember who they were? 

Take at the look at the award for Best Supporting Actor, which was introduced by Bob Hope and presented by Ryan O’Neal and a very young Tatum.

Take a stroll down memory lane with Sally Field who presented the 1981 Best Actor in a Leading Role Award. 

The other nominees were:  John Hurt, Jack Lemmon, Peter O’Toole and Robert Duvall. 

Robert De Niro has given few interviews throughout his long career. 

This appearance with Sylvester Stallone, Carey Mulligan, Jonah Hill and Jake Bugg on The Graham Norton Show is very entertaining. He talks about his greatest physical transformation needed for his role in Raging Bull and how he drove a New York taxi preparing for the movie Taxi Driver. 

1. Mean Streets
2. In 2002 Robert De Niro founded the thriving Tribeca Film Festival.

3. Fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients. His signature dish is black cod in miso.
4. The luxurious The Greenwich Hotel, New York in 2008.

5. Vito Corleone

- Brando won Best Actor for played the wizened capo 1973.
- De Niro won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for playing the younger version of Vito Corleone in 1975.

6. Taxi Driver and Rocky were both nominated in 1977.
7. Grudge Match

How did you go with these Trivia Questions?

- Robert De Niro Quiz

- Robert De Niro or Al Pacino Quiz

For more fun, check out this countdown of the Top 10 Robert De Niro Movies