DeNiro and Scorsese will be working on the film adaptation of the book I Heard You Paint Houses.
The screenplay, written by Steve Zaillian (American Gangster), will follow Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran (played by DeNiro). Sheeran committed 25 murders for the mob, and is believed to have played a part in the assassination of Jimmy Hoffa, a famous American union leader.
The title of the film refers to the type of language used by members of organised crime families. Contract murders were often referred to as "painting houses," because the victim’s home would be painted in blood.
DeNiro and Scorsese worked together in the past several times, including for the films Casino, Cape Fear, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas and Taxi Driver.
Robert DeNiro’s next film, Everybody’s Fine, will be released next year. Scorsese’s next project, Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, opens in theatres in October 2009.