De Niro confirms 'The Irishman', Scorsese to direct, Pacino and Pesci to co-star

And the band is officially back together. Robert De Niro confirmed to MTV that his long gestating crime film, The Irishman is on, and he'll be bringing a few familiar faces along for the ride. Al Pacino and Joe Pesci will be starring with him, with Martin Scorsese back in the director's chair. A role has also been carved out for Harvey Keitel, although his status is less certain at this point.

The rumors of this possible team-up were first reported here back in September, but the project has been in development for a few years. The Irishman is based on Charles Brandt's book, "I Heard You Paint Houses" about mob hitman Frank Sheeran. Sheeran claimed to have been the triggerman responsible for the death of legendary Teamster boss, Jimmy Hoffa, as well as having intimate knowledge behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Production is tentatively set to begin early next year.