The 76-year-old actor is co-starring in Martin Scorseses upcoming epicThe Irishmanas a criminal underworld kingpin.
But convincing Pesci to join the cast took years.
By one report, the actor had to be asked 40 times, a number nobody is disputing.
Credit: Netflix
De Niro first worked with Pesci in 1980sRaging Bull, where the duo played brothers.
ForThe Irishman, Scorsese says De Niro ran point on the luring.
Bob and Joe, they have their own language, Scorsese explains.
Lets just do it.
Scorsese initially gives a flurry of reasons thatcould haveimpacted Pescis decision.
These are individual choices and sometimes people dont want to do something for different reasons, Scorsese says.
It could be, financial issues.
You could have that Im not saying he did, right?
It could be family issues.
It could be health.
It could be boredom from doing a certain kind of film.
Playing a certain character.
Ultimately, if Bob asks enough and he pushes enough, does this makes sense?
Pesci ended up agreeing, the director says, after Netflix decided to finance the film.
Its not even about the money or about being compensated and appreciated for your value.
Its about the physicality of [making a film] where nobodys giving you anything.
At a certain age and physicality for the actors, it may not be worth it.
The Irishmanopens in theaters Nov. 1 and then moves to Netflix on Nov. 27.
