RSS 2.0 - News feed for The Irishman

‘The Irishman’ Stunt Coordinator Talks Heat Exhaustion, Rubble & Road Rash

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
MovieSet.com

Are you itching to get a good look at the upcoming crime/drama The Irishman? Well, with the most recent interview on MovieSet.com, you can go behind the scenes of The Irishman to see stunt movie magic being made! Hear what Stunt Coordinator Jeff Wolfe has to say about prepping stunts to make them look real without the aid of CGI, see a number of sets and stunts for the film and see the hard work and dedication it takes to pull them off.

Watch the interview here.

Will ‘The Irishman’ be the Next Big Mob Flick?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
movieset.com

With the combination of an all-star cast and crew along with moviegoers overwhelming enjoyment of mafia movies it appears that The Irishman is destined for smashing success!
Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, screenwriter of Die Hard with a Vengeance and Jumanji, The Irishman stars: Ray Stevenson (Punisher: War Zone), Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can), Val Kilmer (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Vinnie Jones (Snatch), Paul Sorvino (Greetings from the Shore), Linda Cardellini (Brokeback Mountain) and Vincent D’Onofrio (The Narrows). The film is based on Rick Porrello’s self-published book To Kill an Irishman that tells the true life story of Danny Greene, an Irish-American mobster who takes on the La Cosa Nostra in a vicious and violent gang war that had the bodies piling up on the streets of Cleveland in the 1970s. Keep an eye out for The Irishman’s theatrical debut in early 2010.

Read the full article here.

5 Questions with THE IRISHMAN's Steve Schirripa

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Invite three actors from "The Sopranos" to a popular spot in Warren and, bada-bing, bada-boom, you've got an intriguing night out. Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby (Bacala) Baccalieri, is appearing at two shows Friday at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, along with Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) and Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti).

The evening of comedy and interviews will be hosted by comedianSal Richards.

Schirripa, who's more outgoing than the reserved Bobby, was inDetroit to make the upcoming movie "The Irishman." The burly actor has been busy with several projects, including playing a suburban dad on ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." But he still enjoys talking about his role on the acclaimed HBO drama.

‘The Irishman’ Cleveland Mob history 101

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
movieset.com

Cleveland is well known for having a history of crime, and now that history is being immortalized on the silver screen with the upcoming crime/drama The Irishman. The Irishman chronicles the rise and fall of infamous Cleveland gangster Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), who engaged in a power struggle with the Italian mob. Greene was as an upstart longshoreman union rep and later became a cocky, legendarily difficult-to-kill troublemaker in the world of organized crime in the 1970’s. Based on the real story of mobster Danny Greene, The Irishman paints a vivid portrait of how life was lived in crime-ridden Cleveland in the 1970's.

Read the full article here.

Vinny Vella - Mayor of Elizabeth Street

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
movieset.com

Catch up with Vinny Vella, he unofficial "Mayor of Elizabeth Street" in New York City's Little Italy and gangster movie star extraordinaire. Leading an extraordinary life both on and off the silver screen, Vella has worked jobs ranging from running his own trucking company, to playing a variety of roles including Frank Brancato in the upcoming 1970’s crime film The Irishman.

Read more about Vinny Vella here.

11-year-old stunt girl follows in fathers’ footsteps

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
movieset.com

Frankie Potochick is in most ways a typical 11-year-old, but unlike most girls her age, Frankie – short for Francesca, can take a punch!
She performed stunts with her dad in Flipped, which was filmed in Ann Arbor, and she had a role in The Irishman, a movie about Cleveland gangster Danny Greene, based on a novel by Rick Porrello.
Frankie’s dad is a principal partner in Reel Action RX, which provides pyrotechnic services for filmmakers, so she’s had an early start. “And she's good,” said one of her much older colleagues who also works with her dad. “Doing movie stunts isn't as easy as it looks,”

Read the full article here.

The Irishman, Book to Movie Interview with Author and Agent

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By
Roberta M. Gubbins, Ingham County
Legal News

Lawyers write. They write briefs, opinion letters, memos, contracts of all sorts and sizes, wills, trusts—I could go on forever. Many write fictionalized stories based on events that happened during the course of their careers. Some of those stories are published and some are made into movies. How does that happen?

Recently I met with Rick Porrello, author of “To Kill the Irishman, the War that Crippled the Mafia” and his agent, Peter Miller, of PMA Literary & Film Management, Inc. They were in Detroit to assist with the filming of the action movie based on Porrello’s book, the true story of mobster, Danny Greene, a violent Irish-American gangster who competed with the Italian mob in 1970’s Cleveland--a competition that provoked a country-wide turf war.

Code Entertainment is producing the movie, which stars Ray Stevenson as Danny Greene, Christopher Walken as loan shark and nightclub owner, Shondor Birns, and Val Kilmer as the Cleveland police detective who befriends Greene. Jonathan Hensleigh directs the film. “They plan to release it by St. Patrick’s Day,” said Porrello.

Exclusive: ‘The Irishman’ interview with Christopher Walken

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By Shannon Nystedt
movieset.com

Christopher Walken may be “the world's worse impersonator” but when you’re as widely impersonated as Walken, does it really matter? Don’t miss movieset’s exclusive interview with actor extraordinaire Christopher Walken. Here Walken talks about his character, Shondor Birns, a loan shark and nightclub owner, and on the other characters he stars alongside.

Check the interview out here.

Mob Writer: THE IRISHMAN: The Movie

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Just finished editing Rick Porrello's original book, To Kill the Irishman: The War that Crippled the Mafia. Why did the book need editing? Well, the movie The Irishman, based on Rick's book, is wrapping up production as I write this. Simon & Schuster just made a deal with Rick to re-release the book with the new title The Irishman. [pictured l. to r.: Author and executive producer Rick Porrello, Ray Stevenson as the Irishman, and Peter Miller Rick's manager and also executive producer.]

Birch Run dog gets movie role in THE IRISHMAN

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Courtesy photoForest plays the part of movie star on the set of "The Irishmen," an upcoming movie starring Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken.

by Kathryn Lynch-Morin | Booth Mid-Michigan

Even though he's worked with some of Hollywood's biggest names, he still enjoys the little things in life -- like a good belly-scratch.

Forest, a 6-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, recently took part in the filming of "The Irishmen," due out next year, which stars Ray Stevenson, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken, among others.

Filmed in Detroit, the movie's plot focuses on the true story of Danny Greene, a tough Irish thug working to oust Cleveland mobsters during the 1970's

Michigan appeals to Hollywood as land of a thousand places

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

State aims to attract filmmakers with its wide-ranging landscapes, lakefronts and urban decay

BY JULIE HINDS • FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER

Hollywood understands the financial appeal of making films in Michigan, but it's still learning about the state's potential as a backdrop.

"When we were calling on a major studio a few months ago in southern California, we were sitting with a senior vice president of production, and this woman said, 'Well, the only thing I'm working on right now really wouldn't work for Michigan, because it requires a cabin on a lake,' " recalls Chris Baum of Film Detroit, a division of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Baum begged to differ and explained that there are countless cabins on lakes that could fit the bill. And he was given a copy of the script so that Film Detroit could go through it scene by scene and offer suggestions on possible locations.

"Sometimes it's as basic as that, a misunderstanding being overcome immediately," he says.

Behind the scenes on 'The Irishman's' Detroit set

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

by Jessica Nunez | MLive.com

AP File Photo'The Irishman's' set construction crew looks over plans last month in Detroit

MovieSet.com, an online social movie network that often gets exclusive rights to behind-the-scenes footage of major motion pictures, just posted production videos of "The Irishman," which is filmed in Detroit and stars Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer.

According to PR Newswire, MovieSet's videos are the "first-ever behind-the-scenes footage" of the film.

Detroit's New Gig Making Movies -- On set with THE IRISHMAN

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Fox Business visited the set of THE IRISHMAN to discuss with producer Bart Rosenblatt the tax incentives and advantages of shooting the film in Michigan.

Celebrity Birthdays: Mike Tyson, Vincent D'Onofrio

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson celebrates his 43rd birthday today. He's had some ups and downs in his career (biting Evander Holyfield's ear would definitely be one of the latter), but "Iron Mike" has recently shown he's still got it. He was the subject of the James Tobackdocumentary Tyson, and has a great cameo involving a tiger in the hit comedy The Hangover. Actor Vincent D’Onofrio, Detective Goren on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, turns 50. He’s opposite Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer in his next flick,The Irishman.

Cleveland Mob Figure Danny Greene's Story Coming to the Big Screen

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

If you know anything about the rich history of the mob in Cleveland odds are that you know the story of Danny Greene rather well. Movieset reveals in a press release announcing the film:

THE IRISHMAN chronicles the rise and fall of Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), the fiercely proud and vicious Irish-American gangster who muscled in on the Italian mob in 1970s Cleveland, Ohio. Thirty-six bombs shook the streets of Cleveland in 1976 as the legendary, almost mythical Celtic warrior Danny Greene launched a turf war that struck down countless dozens of gangsters. The hard fought death of Danny Greene started a chain reaction of mobsters turning against mobsters that led to the collapse of the Mafia not only in Cleveland, but also in Milwaukee, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and other cities across the United States. The Mafia, or La Cosa Nostra, never recovered.

The film is based on the book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia". Ray Stevenson will portray the lead as Danny Greene with Christopher Walken playing Shondor Birns. Val Kilmer will be featured in the film as well playing a Cleveland police officer who becomes friends with Greene.

The Irishman releases exclusive footage to MovieSet

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

PRNewswire

MovieSet.com, the pioneering movie site that takes fans behind the scenes of major motion pictures while still in production, has just released the first-ever behind-the-scenes footage and stills from the set of The Irishman starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken.

Code Entertainment's production of The Irishman chronicles the rise and fall of infamous Cleveland gangster Danny Greene (Ray Stevenson), who engaged in a power struggle with the Italian mob in the 1970s. The movie is currently being shot entirely in and around Detroit, MI. Production continues through mid-summer. The film is slated to be released in 2010.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer fans behind-the-scenes access on the sets of major motion pictures like 'The Irishman,'" states MovieSet President and CEO, Colleen Nystedt. "This is a terrific partnership and I couldn't be happier at the way the production has embraced the technology to help build their core audience during production."

MovieSet.com partnered with The Irishman to build awareness of this gripping crime drama directed by Jonathan Hensleigh (The Punisher). While on set, the unit publicist is working closely with production to capture compelling behind the scenes footage daily, including interviews with key cast members, production staff and special effects crew.

"MovieSet.com is a smart, new marketing tool for filmmakers," says Executive Producer Jonathan Dana. "We at 'The Irishman' are happy to be a part of this wonderful new technology."

Founded in 1994, Code Entertainment has produced 12 feature films, working with both emerging and established talent, including Academy Award-winning actors, directors, composers and cinematographers. The company operates with a revolving equity fund and produces and finances two to three films per year. Code's partners are Bart Rosenblatt, Al Corley, Eugene Musso, Rick Berg, and Rich Freeman. Jonathan Dana serves as marketing and sales representative for the company's feature films.

MovieSet.com is a leading movie web site providing fans with daily movie news while offering producers proprietary turnkey technology to create a dynamic online presence for their movies while in production. MovieSet.com allows fans to track a movie's progress from green light to release.

Hollywood Entrepreneur, Tommy Reid, Comes on Strong with THE IRISHMAN

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Producer/director/writer Tommy Reid is a force to be reckoned with. In his latest film, The Irishman (Jonathan Hensleigh 2010), which Reid co-produces and has nurtured for the past twelve years, Reid ups his game and surrounds himself with some impressive talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Reid is himself impressive, achieving his goals by combining a passionate dedication to film making with intense focus and a good old-fashioned work ethic. Tommy Reid was kind enough to offer some insight into the near-miraculous process that results in a film.

Society confidential: More De Niro stimulus dollars spread around (owner of THE IRISHMAN location has another brush with Hollywood)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Susan Whitall / The Detroit News

More De Niro stimulus dollars spread around

Janet Belcoure , who owns the Roma Café, was sitting outside The Hill restaurant in Grosse Pointe one recent Thursday waiting for a pal when she spotted a familiar-looking gentleman a few tables away. He had to be a customer from the Roma, she thought. After he noticed her staring, she blurted out, "Hi, I'm Janet from the Roma Café." The man piped back, "Hi, I'm Robert De Niro ."

"I explained that I owned a restaurant, so he wouldn't think I was nuts," Belcoure says. The actor had been working on a film in western Michigan ("Stone") but was sleuthing sites for another movie. After both dined with friends, he quietly paid her tab. It was her second brush with Hollywood glamour in a week. The cast of "The Irishman," including Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken, had taken over The Roma for a day's shoot the previous Tuesday. Daughter Jessica Belcoure , 24, appeared as an extra, which meant her hair had to be ratted up into a 1966 'do, to her extreme shock. (The film is set in 1960s-'70s Cleveland). Belcoure was pleased to see so many Michigan crew members at work, "It's the whole point of that tax incentive," she says. She slipped her card to De Niro in case he needs an Italian restaurant for his upcoming flick.

River Rouge docks provide the rust and grime for a film about the Irish mob

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Ursula Watson / The Detroit News

Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. was perfect for replicating the docks in 1970s Cleveland for a scene in "The Irishman." (John T. Greilick / The Detroit News)

The Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. in River Rouge has just the sort of gritty look that appealed to producers of the film "The Irishman." Which is why on Tuesday, it was serving as the backdrop for the opening scene of the movie, which is based on the life of the late Cleveland mobster Danny Greene, who came to power in the 1970s.

Ray Stevenson, who stars as Greene, and other actors and extras were hard at work trying to capture the hardscrabble atmosphere of working on the docks. And, unlike some Hollywood flicks, the terminal came with its own props -- rusted piles of scrap metal and heat-defying mud puddles.

"We love filming here. Detroit is very authentic," says Bart Rosenblatt, one of the film's producers, pointing in awe at two rusted, faded black cranes from the 1970s that towered over the set.

In the scene, dock workers are unloading bags of grain from a cargo ship that will be computer-generated, hence the large green screens billowing in the breeze. Rosenblatt says temperatures back then on the docks could hit 120 degrees, and those who succumbed to the heat were thrown into a tub of ice.

Don Taylor, an employee at Nicholson Terminal & Dock, was tapped to be an extra in the scene. Taylor and the other extras were dressed in dirt-covered overalls. Makeup gave their faces a sweaty, dirty appearance, with a grain-like substance clinging to their skin.

Casting call for extras for THE IRISHMAN

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Casting call for extras for 'The Irishman'

Ursula Watson / The Detroit News

The film "The Irishman" is holding an open call for extras who are white males between the ages of 35-50. The film is based on the true story of Danny Greene, a tough Irish thug working for mobsters in Cleveland during the 1970s. Those selected will work on Thursday. This opportunity is unpaid. If you have worked on "The Irishman" in the past, you are not eligible to work again as an extra on this film. If interested, e-mailtheirishmanextras@gmail.com and send a copy of your e-mail to info@filmingindetroit.com. In the subject line put "FilmingInDetroit.com Extra." If selected, you will be provided details and updates via e-mail.

Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken filming "The Irishman" in Detroit

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

AP File PhotoChristopher Walken

More proof that Detroit is on the way to becoming the next Hollywood.

A new mobster flick staring Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken is filming in Detroit for the next several weeks. "The Irishman" will be released in 2010 and takes place in Cleveland, but will be shot entirely in the Motor City. They even shot what are likely some of the last moving pictures of Tiger Stadium.

The best part about it (other than the slightly increased chance of running into Christopher Walken at American Coney Island) is the movie needs local extras -- lots of 'em.

Filming in Detroit: Extras Needed for 'The Irishman'

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

A cast of A-list actors and truckloads of movie-making equipment --all of this is taking place in downtown Detroit this summer, as producers film “The Irishman,” starring Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken.

"The Irishman" will be shot entirely in and around Detroit over the next several weeks. The film features Val Kilmer as a police detective and Christopher Walken as a Jewish mobster, fighting a city-wide gangland war in Cleveland, Ohio.

Producers are looking for 100 35-50ish year old white males to be Cleveland "Dock Workers."

All extras can wear vintage clothing from the 1970's if you have it in your wardrobe. Err on the side of bland and plain rather than bright or patterned style construction clothes.

Hollywood workers moving out of Calif. (photo from the set of THE IRISHMAN)

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

By LORINDA TOLEDO and RYAN NAKASHIMA • Associated Press

AP/CARLOS OSORIO

Film construction coordinator Sean Clouser (right) looks over plans with set painter Bruce Johnson (center) and Anthony Yarbrough on the set of of "THE IRISHMAN" being filmed in Detroit..

LOS ANGELES -- A 25-year veteran of the film industry, William Gilpin lived in Los Angeles his entire life until he moved to New Mexico at the end of 2007. The construction coordinator works on cable network AMC's hit series "Breaking Bad," about a chemistry teacher who turns to a life of drug-dealing after being diagnosed with cancer.

Like many TV production workers, Gilpin, 55, followed the jobs that left California and relocated to states that offered generous tax breaks to lure film shoots. New Mexico offers a tax rebate of up to 25 percent of qualifying production expenses, including actors' salaries.

'Sopranos', 'GoodFellas' actor Anthony Borgese a.k.a Tony Darrow, currently filming THE IRISHMAN, charged with trying to extort money

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

BY John Marzulli

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Hagen for News

Anthony Borgese - along with a reputed Gambino crime family soldier - was charged with trying to strong-arm cash from an unlucky soul who owed money to a loanshark.

A veteran actor with roles in "The Sopranos" and "GoodFellas" played a tough guy in real life, too, prosecutors say.

Anthony Borgese - along with a reputed Gambino crime family soldier - was charged with trying to strong-arm cash from an unlucky soul who owed money to a loanshark.

Borgese pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he tried to extort the unidentified man in upstate Monticello in 2004.

The longtime character actor, who grew up in Brooklyn, uses the stage name Tony Darrow and calls himself the "Goodfella of Comedy" on his Web site.

He was busted by FBI agents at LaGuardia Aiport as he arrived home from a film shoot late Thursday, sources said.

The 70-year-old actor looked haggard in court Friday after spending the night at the federal lockup in Brooklyn.

Film shoots at Tiger Stadium ahead of demolition

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

A film is shooting at Tiger Stadium just days before the Detroit ballpark's expected demolition.

(AP) -- A film is shooting at Tiger Stadium just days before the Detroit ballpark's expected demolition. "The Irishman" tells the story of union organizer and mobster Danny Greene. The picture stars Ray Stevenson, Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio and Christopher Walken.

Producer Bart Rosenblatt says Detroit is standing in for 1970s-era Cleveland. He says filmmakers wanted to use an "iconic" landmark while shooting in the city. Filming at the stadium was set for Thursday evening.

Tiger Stadium opened in 1912 as Navin Field. The Tigers departed after the 1999 season. Much of the stadium was demolished last year, and a proposal to preserve and redevelop the remaining structure has been rejected. The city says demolition work could begin as early as Monday.

New Val Kilmer movie being shot in Detroit

Sat, 23 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Slew of actors join 'The Irishman'

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

CANNES -- Vincent D'Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Paul Sorvino, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Steve Schirripa, Linda Cardellini and Bob Gunton have been added to the cast of Jonathan Hensleigh's "The Irishman."

They join Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer in the crime tale about real-life mobster Danny Greene.

Hensleigh and Jeremy Walters wrote the screenplay for the project, inspired by the book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia" by Rick Porrello.

Code Entertainment's Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, and Eugene Musso will produce, along with Dundee Entertainment's Tommy Reid and Tara Reid, who brought the property to Code. Jonathan Dana, Peter Miller, and Rick Porrello are exec producers, with George Perez serving as co-producer.

Principal photography begins next week in Detroit, Michigan.

Sales and distribution company Lightning Entertainment is repping international sales, while ICM and Dana are handle domestic sales.

D'Onofrio, Sorvino join cast of Irishman for Lightning

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Vincent D’Onofrio, Paul Sorvino and Vinnie Jones have joined Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer in Code Entertainment’s The Irishman.

Lightning Entertainment is pre-selling in Cannes.

Shooting is set to begin next week in Detroit on the story of Boston Irish gangster Danny Greene’s fearsome battle with the US mafia. Jonathan Dana and ICM are representing North American rights.

Jonathan Hensleigh is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jeremy Walters, inspired by Rick Porrello’s To Kill The Irishman: The War That Crippled The Mafia.

Steve Schirripa, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Linda Cardellini, Bob Gunton and Tony Lo Bianco have also joined the cast.

Code Entertainment’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, and Eugene Musso are producing with Dundee Entertainment’s Tommy Reid and Tara Reid, who brought the property to Code. Dana, Peter Miller, and Porrello are executive producers.

D’Onofrio, Sorvino and Jones Join ‘The Irishman’

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

It appears I was most likely wrong in thinking Lightening Entertainment’s The Irishman would be a direct-to-DVD title as the production house is out pre-selling the film at the Cannes Film Festival and Screen Daily has additional names to add to the cast.

Already cast in the film, which will be directed by Jonathan Hensleigh from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jeremy Walters, are Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer and Ray Stevenson and Screen Daily announces Vincent D’Onofrio, Paul Sorvino and Vinnie Jones have also joined the cast.

The film was inspired by Rick Porrello’s “To Kill The Irishman: The War That Crippled The Mafia” and tells the story based on the life of mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson), who lorded over Cleveland’s criminal underworld during the late 1970s. Walken is onboard to play infamous loan-sharking nightclub owner Shondor Birns, and Kilmer will portray a Cleveland cop who befriends Greene.

Steve Schirripa, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Linda Cardellini, Bob Gunton and Tony Lo Bianco have also joined the cast.

Shooting is set to begin next week in Detroit.

Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, and Val Kilmer Befriend THE IRISHMAN

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, and Val Kilmer have come on board to Jonathan Hensleigh's "The Irishman". While I would hope for a whimsical comedy in the vein of "Waking Ned Devine", it's more in the vein of "State of Grace". The film is based off real story of mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson) which inspired the book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia". After that war, the Mafia walked with a limp. On the plus side, the Mafia got all the good parking spaces from there on out.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Greene was a violent Irish-American gangster who competed with the Italian mob in 1970s Cleveland and ended up provoking a countrywide turf war that crippled the mafia. Walken will play the loan shark and nightclub owner Shondor Birns, and Kilmer is a Cleveland police detective who befriends Greene.

Wait, the film takes place in Cleveland? Who gives a shit. I hope they're planning to re-set the film in a real city. Barring that, I will accept a giant shootout at the Rock and Roll Museum. And don't tell me that the museum wasn't built until 1983. This is a dramatic change that is crucial to the film. If Greene doesn't brain a guy with one of Elvis' guitars, this whole project was a waste.

Also, there should be a cameo from Harvey Pekar.

Ray Stevenson Is The Irishman With Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Ray Stevenson finished work in Rome and suddenly found himself a star, heading up The Punisher: War Zone and landing roles in The Book of Eli and Cirque du Freak. Now he's added a lead role in The Irishman to that roster, where he'll star alongside Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer.

Despite the title, the film doesn't actually take place in the land of 40 shades of green, but in Cleveland, Ohio where mobster Danny Greene ruled the underworld in the 1970s. Stevenson will play Greene, Walken an infamous loan shark and nightclub owner called Shondor Birns and Kilmer a city cop who befriends Greene (who, funnily enough, was obsessed with the colour green). Cue attempted car bombs, successful car bombs and conflict with the Mafia.

The whole thing is based on Rick Porrello's book To Kill The Irishman: The War That Cripped The Mafia, with director Jonathan Hensleigh (who, ironically, directed the other Punisher movie) adapting the script. Filming begins later this month on what sounds like an interesting story. And for those of you making the obvious objection, Stevenson may have been brought up in northern England, but he was born in Lisburn so he's got some Irish roots after all.

Stevenson, Walken join 'Irishman' Hensleigh to direct own script for Code

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer will star in Code Entertainment's mob drama "The Irishman."

Jonathan Hensleigh ("The Punisher") will direct from a screenplay he penned.

Project is based on the life of mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson), who lorded over Cleveland's criminal underworld during the late 1970s. Walken is onboard to play infamous loan-sharking nightclub owner Shondor Birns, and Kilmer will portray a Cleveland cop who befriends Greene.

Story was inspired by Rick Porrello's book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia."

Code's Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso are producing alongside Dundee Entertainment's Tommy Reid and actress Tara Reid, who brought the property to Code.

Jonathan Dana, Peter Miller and Porrello are exec producing.

Lensing begins May 19 in Detroit.

Stevenson, whose bigscreen credits include "King Arthur" and the upcoming "Book of Eli" and "Cirque du Freak," is best known for his starring role on the HBO series "Rome."

Founded in 1994, Code finances, develops and produces films that have included 2007's Ben Kingsley starrer "You Kill Me."

Lightning Entertainment, the Santa Monica-based sales and distribution company, will introduce "The Irishman" to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. ICM and Jonathan Dana are handling domestic sales.

Hensleigh, Walken and Kilmer are repped by ICM. Stevenson is handled by Endeavor.