Robert De Niro is attached to star in The Winter of Frankie Machine, Variety reports.

An adaptation of a yet-to-be-published novel by Don Winslow, it tells the story of a former Mafia hitman who has taken to a quiet life running a shop. However, when he finds that he is being targeted for a hit he soon returns to his old ways.

De Niro and Jane Rosenthal's Tribeca Films will produce. Rosenthal told Daily Variety: "He did say that (he wouldn't play another Mafia character). But along came Don Winslow, who created a perfect character. The lesson here is, never say never."

Winslow's novel is expected to hit shelves next year.