Sylvester Stallone Replaces Robert De Niro In Olivier Assayas' 'Idol's Eye' With Robert Pattinson & Rachel Weisz

Some projects fall apart, but the persistence of the filmmakers and the right number of circumstances allows them to live again. Such is the case with Olivier Assayas‘ “Idol’s Eye.” Slated to star Robert Pattinson, Robert De Niro, and Rachel Weisz, financing was pulled at the last minute in 2014, leading the film to get scrapped before it had a chance to go in front of cameras. But back in September, Assayas teased the project could be back on, and it looks like it’s coming together again, albeit with one casting change.

Sylvester Stallone has replaced De Niro in the movie, which still has Pattinson and Weisz attached to star. Inspired by actual events, the story follows a petty thief who accidentally steals a blue diamond belonging to Chicago mafia boss Tony Accardo, leading to a battle between the duo, all while the FBI closes in on the pair. Assayas goes into thriller mode? I’m in. And I’m presuming Stallone will play the gangland figure, which could be quite something.

Production on the film starts in February in Toronto with a $25 million budget, and the timing may explain why De Niro had to drop out: Martin Scorsese‘s long awaited The Irishman” might start shooting around the same time. [Screen Daily]