Scorsese confirms De Niro 'Irishman' reunion

Martin Scorsese has confirmed that he will work with Robert De Niro for a ninth time on crime drama The Irishman.

Speaking at BAFTA's A Life In Pictures Q&A, the Oscar-winning Departed director revealed that the project is currently going through financing, and shooting could begin as early as next year.

De Niro and Scorsese first teamed up for 1973's Mean Streets before further collaborations on Taxi Driver, New York, New York, Raging Bull, The King Of Comedy, Goodfellas and Casino.

The Irishman is based on Charles Brandt's novel I Heard You Paint Houses, which charts the life of union official-turned-mob hitman Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran.

Scorsese also noted that his Gangs Of New York and Cape Fear screenwriter Steve Zallian is working on the script.

The potential Scorsese/De Niro reunion was first rumoured in September with Al Pacino and Joe Pesci also linked to the project.

Scorsese's next project Hugo Cabret, a 3D children's movie starring Chloe Moretz, Asa Butterfield and Sacha Baron Cohen, is due for release on December 9, 2011.