There aren’t many actors that you could add to the upcoming crime drama “The Irishman” that would be able to get fans even more excited for Martin Scorsese’s latest. The film already features the reunion between Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. However, you have to admit that the addition of Mickey Rourke might have been pretty intriguing.
According to a new interview with on the Italian TV series, “Non è la D’Urso,” Rourke explained that he was approached to star in “The Irishman” alongside those heavyweights. Unfortunately for him, there was one actor already in the cast that didn’t want Rourke involved. And the issue between the two men stems from a feud dating back to the late-‘80s.
“Six months ago, I’m broke,” Rourke said. “The only money I had is when I went over to Russia to fight. I spent all that money. So, Marty Scorsese, the great director, wanted to meet me for a movie with Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Christopher Walken, and Robert De Niro. The casting person told my manager that Robert De Niro said he refused to work with me in a movie.”
He added, “I’m only upset because I needed the money. But the thing is, he don’t forget what happened 20 years ago because they have a saying, ‘I took him to school.’ Before that no other actor took him to school.”
Apparently, the feud between Rourke and De Niro stems from their time working together on the 1987 film “Angel Heart.” Rourke says that his co-star came up to him after being introduced and said, “I think it’s better if we don’t talk because of our character in the movie.” Ever since then, the two haven’t been on the best of terms. And if Rourke’s comments are any indication, it doesn’t sound like the two will be making up anytime soon.
READ MORE: Martin Scorsese’s Crime Epic ‘The Irishman’ May Clock In At 210 Minutes
“Now I don’t look up to him no more, I look through him,” he said. “I came up from the shit…He doesn’t know that life. I lived that fucking life. So, every time I looked him in the face I look right through his asshole. You understand?”
Obviously, we don’t have confirmation from Scorsese or De Niro about this incident or what part Rourke might have played in “The Irishman.” It’s unlikely we’ll hear anyone comment about this situation, honestly. However, if true, it does add a layer to the highly-anticipated film that is coming this fall that we didn’t otherwise know about.
“The Irishman” hits theaters on November 1 before arriving on Netflix on November 27. **Update**: “The Irishman” filmmakers refute this claim. Story here.