Netflix
Following a well-documented dispute with the country’s major movie theater chains, Netflix has finally set a theatrical and streaming release date for Martin Scorsese’s upcoming gangster drama epic, The Irishman.
According to reports, The Irishman — which sees Scorsese reteam with long-time collaborators Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci — will be released in theaters on Friday, November 1, before hitting Netflix on Friday, November 27.
However, because Netflix was unable to strike up a deal with major movie theater chains — who were uninterested in the film given Netflix’s desire to premiere it on their streaming platform as soon as possible — The Irishman will only air in a select amount of indie cinemas. At this time, it is unclear how many screens The Irishman will be played on.
The Hollywood Reporter says “sources say Netflix offered up a 30-day window before talks broke off.”
Here’s the official synopsis for The Irishman, via What’s On Netflix:
“Frank Sheeran is a World War 2 veteran and a former hitman for the mob. His time spent during the war in Italy made him a talented killer. To make ends meet, Frank utilizes his skills to become a hitman for the mob. Now in his old age, Frank reflects back on the moments and hits that defined his mob career. Especially his role in the disappearance of his old friend Jimmy Hoffa, a former president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that went missing in 1975, never to be seen again.”
In addition to De Niro and Pesci, The Irishman also stars Al Pacino as the infamous Jimmy Hoffa, marking his first appearance in a Scorsese film.
The Irishman will be released in theaters on Friday, November 1, and on Netflix on Friday, November 27.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Contact him: eric@brobible.com.