It has been nearly four decades since Michael Cimino released his epic masterpiece “The Deer Hunter,” which to date has marked the only time Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken have teamed up in a movie. Their careers since have taken twists and turns, with both actors notching low marks this year with “Dirty Grandpa” and “Nine Lives” respectively. Now, they are set to team up for a movie that frankly speaks to how low both are willing to go these days.
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Deadline reports that De Niro and Walken will star in “The War With Grandpa,” with Eugene Levy along for the ride as well. Sigh. Tim Hill (“Muppets from Space,” “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever“) will direct the cinematic legends in the movie about a grandfather who takes over the bedroom of his grandson, leading to prank war between. This is actually based on a book by Robert Kimmel Smith, so here’s the synopsis to get a fuller picture of what this is all about:
Peter is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves right into Peter’s room, forcing him upstairs.
Peter loves his grandpa but wants his room back. He has no choice but to declare war! With the help of his friends, Peter devises outrageous plans to make Grandpa surrender the room. But Grandpa is tougher than he looks. Rather than give in, Grandpa plans to get even.
They used to be such great pals. Has their war gone too far?
This one is coming together fast, with The Weinstein Company‘s Dimension division slated to open the picture on April 21, 2017. Or in other words, seven months from now, so don’t expect anything on the level of accomplishment of “The Deer Hunter.” And for a memory of how things once were for De Niro, here he is looking back on his preparation for “Taxi Driver.”