Robert De Niro Returns to the Mob in ‘The Alto Knights’ – First Trailer Released!

‘The Alto Knights’ is an upcoming American crime drama based on real events. Directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, the movie features Robert De Niro playing two roles as 1950s mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. The cast also includes Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, and Cosmo Jarvis in key roles.

The story focuses on Vito Genovese and Frank Costello who are rival Italian-American mob bosses. Genovese orders a hit on Costello, but Costello survives the attack with an injury. After the attempt on his life, Costello chooses to leave the Mafia world.

The movie, originally called ‘Wise Guys,’ had been planned since the 1970s but was rejected by many studios over the years. Warner Bros. finally started working on it in May 2022. Nicholas Pileggi wrote the script, and Barry Levinson directed it, with Robert De Niro playing two roles.

Now more than 2 years after the movie was approved we have the first trailer:

The movie tells the story of the real-life rivalry between crime bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello in the late 1950s. Genovese, feeling overshadowed by Costello’s political influence and ability to make money, developed jealousy and decided to eliminate him. On May 2, 1957, he hired a young mobster, Vincent Gigante, to kill Costello.

The assassination attempt failed, leaving Costello injured but alive. Realizing the danger, Costello decided to step away from the mob, handing control to Genovese.

The movie’s title, Alto Knights, refers to a time when mobsters gathered at social clubs, including one by that name in New York City’s Little Italy. Genovese and his associates often visited this club.

While it’s unclear how the movie will weave these events together, the involvement of Robert De Niro and director Barry Levinson has raised high expectations.

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