The Alto Knights: Robert De Niro’s Riveting Duel in a Mafia Power Struggle
The Alto Knights is an upcoming American crime biopic directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi. The film stars Robert De Niro in a dual role, portraying two infamous mafia bosses of the 1950s: Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. It is set to be released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on March 21, 2025.
Plot
The movie revolves around the power struggle between two Italian-American mafia bosses, Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. Once best friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals put them on a deadly collision course that will forever change the Mafia and America.
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Vito Genovese and Frank Costello
- Debra Messing as Bobbie Costello, Frank’s wife
- Kathrine Narducci as Anna Genovese, Vito’s wife
- Cosmo Jarvis as Vincent Gigante
- Louis Mustillo as Joseph Bonanno
- James Ciccone as Carlo Gambino
The film also features performances from Michael Rispoli, Michael Adler, Ed Amatrudo, and others.
Production
Originally titled Wise Guys, the project was initiated by Warner Bros. Pictures in May 2022 and officially greenlit in August 2022. Nicholas Pileggi took on the role of screenwriter, with Barry Levinson directing. Robert De Niro was cast in the dual leading roles. In October 2022, Debra Messing and Kathrine Narducci joined the cast, followed by Cosmo Jarvis in January 2023.
Filming began in December 2022 in Ohio, utilizing vinyl-covered vehicles to replicate the aesthetic of the 1950s. The production team closed sections of US 35 in Greene County and SR 123 in the Cincinnati metropolitan area before moving to the city’s suburbs.
Release
The Alto Knights is scheduled for release in the United States on March 21, 2025. Initially planned for February 2, 2024, the release date was pushed to November 15, 2024, before finally settling on the current date. The delays were partly due to the impact of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
With Robert De Niro in a dual role and direction from veteran filmmaker Barry Levinson, The Alto Knights promises to deliver a compelling look into the power struggles of the New York underworld in the 1950s.
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