'The Family'- Robert DeNiro

[Walts Ghost]

Michelle Pfeiffer in Talks for Luc Besson Crime Thriller MALAVITA with Robert De Niro

It looks like Michelle Pfeiffer (Scarface) might be joining Robert De Niro (Goodfellas) in returning to their mafia roots in Luc Besson’s crime comedy, Malavita. Based on Tonino Benacquista’s novel, “Badfellas”, Malavita follows a mafia family who seeks witness protection in France. The problem is that they brought their criminal habits with them and start to deal with things in the old-fashioned way. De Niro is set to star as the head of the family, who was also head of the local crime family until he turned rat. Pfeiffer is in talks to star as his wife, who has a soft spot for using arson against those who cross her. Besson, who wrote the script and will also produce, is eyeing a production start this August. Hit the jump for more on Malavita.

Variety reports that Pfeiffer is in talks to re-team with De Niro in Malavita. The two previously starred together in Matthew Vaughn’s Stardust and Garry Marshall’s New Year’s Eve. A mafia-based comedy should be a cakewalk for De Niro, who sports the more dramatic films such as Goodfellas, The Godfather: Part II and Casino, as well as comedic turns in Analyze This and Analyze That. Pfeiffer is no stranger to the genres herself, boasting a memorable role in Scarface, but also starring in the 1988 comedy, Married to the Mob. I wonder how De Niro’s Backdraft character is going to feel about her apparent penchant for arson.

Check out the description of Benacquista’s source novel here (via Amazon):

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Tommy Lee Jones Joins Roberto De Niro in Luc Besson’s MALAVITA

Director Luc Besson is lining up an impressive cast for his darkly comedic actioner Malavita. The film follows a mafia family who seeks witness protection in France, but they bring their criminal habits with them and start dealing with things the old fashioned way. Robert De Niro is set as the patriarch, with Michelle Pfeiffer recently joining the project as his wife. Now Variety reports that Tommy Lee Jones is in final negotiations to play De Niro’s “stern handler in the FBI-sponsored program.” He’s tasked with checking in on the family and helping them assimilate to their new life in France.

The tone seems reminiscent of something along the lines of Analyze This, but with Besson on board I’m sure we’ll see our fair share of gunplay and grittiness. The notoriously prickly Jones appears to be a left-field choice for the role, but I’m more than willing to see him and De Niro square off. Hopefully we see the two take part in a super-serious-face off so we can settle this whole “who’s more super serious?” thing once and for all. Jones will be seen later this year in the dramedy Hope Springs and Steven Spielberg‘s Lincoln, and he’s poised to write, direct, and star in The Homesman.

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