Why Robert De Niro Turned Down a Role in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’

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It’s generally wise to team up with individuals you have faith in. This concept is evident in the movie industry where many filmmakers consistently work with specific actors they trust. For instance, Quentin Tarantino often collaborates with Samuel L. Jackson, Steven Spielberg usually teams up with Tom Hanks, and Ryan Coogler frequently works with Michael B. Jordan. This trend can be traced back to the golden years when John Ford frequently hired John Wayne, and Alfred Hitchcock preferred Cary Grant for his projects.

Martin Scorsese has a strong fondness for both Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, but his bond with De Niro is particularly close. They have collaborated on 10 feature films and one short film since 1973. Their friendship began when Scorsese was introduced to De Niro by Brian De Palma, a long-time friend of Scorsese’s. Except for one instance, when De Niro declined due to feeling he wasn’t the right fit for Scorsese’s vision, he always responds when Scorsese calls. This exception occurred during the planning stages for the film, “The Departed.

‘The Departed’ Is as Good as a Remake Can Get

‘The Departed’ is not just a film adaptation of the 2002 Hong Kong movie ‘Infernal Affairs’, but also a somewhat autobiographical account of the Boston Winter Hill Gang’s operations. In this story, Billy Costigan (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a police officer from Boston, gets enlisted by Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) for an undercover mission – to infiltrate the criminal empire of mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Simultaneously, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), who was groomed and guided by Costello, has climbed the ranks within the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and is now part of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). His position within the force makes him an ideal source for providing his criminal ally with all the necessary intelligence.’

The focus is squarely on the two police officers as they strive tirelessly to propel their teams towards victory, simultaneously employing increasingly devious tactics to dodge any hint of suspicion. As the undercover agents grow more accustomed to their roles within their respective organizations, the emotional strain of their undercover work starts taking its toll on them. Despite his ability to blend in effortlessly, Costigan finds it challenging to adapt to the decadent lifestyle of the individuals he is tracking, and begins to question his actions. On the other hand, Sullivan encounters even greater difficulty in preserving a spotless reputation, given his inherent character. Eventually, both organizations become aware that they have moles within their ranks. Intriguingly, Costello and Costigan are both tasked with identifying these moles. However, just as it appears the police officers are about to conclude their operations, unforeseen complications arise.

The Departed was a tremendous hit upon release, earning $292 million at the box office. At the 79th Academy Awards, it swept four categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Mark Wahlberg received his first-ever Academy Award nomination, being recognized for the Best Supporting Actor award for his role. Interestingly, this was Scorsese’s first Oscar win after five previous losses, although some critics believed he should have been honored for his past work more than for this film.

The idea of the American version being superior is up for discussion. In fact, “Internal Affairs” from Hong Kong won seven out of sixteen awards it was nominated for at the Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. This film is so exceptional that it has been remade multiple times: in India as “Homam”, in South Korea as “City of Damnation”, and in Japan as “Double Face”.

Scorsese Wanted Robert De Niro To Play Frank Costello

The gritty crime thriller Infernal Affairs made a striking impact when it was released in 2002. For the first time, the ridiculousness and chaos of information gathering was portrayed with such dark wit and authenticity. The film’s unconventional editing methods, along with numerous intense depictions of violence, effectively conveyed the harsh, unpredictable nature of the setting – a world where betrayal is rampant, and it’s difficult to know who stands on which side of the ethical line next to you.

The producers Brad Grey and Brad Pitt acquired the rights for a remake from Media Asia Entertainment Group at a cost of $1.75 million. Martin Scorsese agreed to direct following the reading of William Monahan’s screenplay. Initially, Pitt had considered playing Sullivan himself, but later decided that a more youthful actor would be more suitable for the role.

In a chat with Total Film, Robert De Niro shared that Martin Scorsese proposed the part of Frank Costello, which was eventually played by Jack Nicholson, but his schedule wouldn’t allow it. “I wished I could,” said the actor, explaining further, “I really wanted to do it, but I just couldn’t fit it into my schedule.

Instead, according to Scorsese, De Niro chose not to participate in the film. He voiced this opinion when speaking with Deadline.

“We talked to Bob about [starring in The Departed], but he didn’t want to do it,”

He also shed some more light on their collaborative history.

He asked me to reexamine a project, to which I replied, “We’ve already tackled that. It was Goodfellas.” During our discussion about other ventures, he mentioned his preference for certain types of projects with him. I agreed, and this eventually led to The Irishman, a production that took nine years in the making as we searched for the right opportunity. “What about The Departed?” I suggested, but he declined, saying he wasn’t interested. “Alright,” was my response.

It seems unlikely that De Niro made the right decision by turning down the chance. Playing Frank Costello could have been an exceptional addition to his acting portfolio. In fact, Scorsese mentioned that Ray Liotta was considered for the role as well, but he was already tied up with other obligations.

‘The Departed’ Could Have Elevated De Niro’s Weak 2000s Catalog

It came as a shock that Robert De Niro turned down The Departed, given his lack of significant success in the early part of the decade. His only major hits of the time were Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, with Ben Stiller contributing more to the hilarity of these 2000s comedies than him.

When Martin Scorsese presented him with new opportunities, Robert De Niro found himself considering two distinct projects: the espionage drama, “The Good Shepherd,” and the animated fairy tale, “Arthur and the Invisibles.” Ultimately, he opted to delve into both of these ventures, each yielding differing outcomes. The first was generally acclaimed by film critics, while the latter received harsh criticism. Regarding their financial performance at the box office, they managed only modest success, barely surpassing their production costs. In contrast to the lasting impression made by “The Departed,” neither of these productions is as fondly remembered today.

Was it truly De Niro’s schedule that prevented him from working on this project, or was his disinterest a more likely factor, as Scorsese suggests? Given that Matt Damon managed to work on The Good Shepherd, Ocean’s Thirteen, and The Departed simultaneously, the latter theory appears more plausible. However, it’s important to note that the spy thriller was a deeply personal project for De Niro; he not only acted in it but also directed it for the second time since A Bronx Tale in the early ’90s.

Regardless of De Niro’s existing obligations, it would have been beneficial for him to find a way to join Scorsese’s project as it could have provided a much-needed boost to his career at the time. It is undeniable that De Niro is exceptionally suited for gangster roles, from Vito Corleone to Al Capone and James Conway, many of his most memorable performances were in such films.

Regrettably, even a legendary actor like Jack Nicholson failed to breathe life into a role that could have been spectacular had Robert De Niro taken it. In this film, Nicholson seemed to be merely going through the motions, offering little more than gruff growls. Previously, he had portrayed complex human beings for whom violence and mischief were deeply ingrained, not mere job requirements. However, in this movie, he felt like just another clichéd villain, lacking depth and vitality. It was almost as if we didn’t care about his malevolent character’s fate. Unsurprisingly, the Academy Awards overlooked him in favor of Mark Wahlberg. Fortunately, De Niro and Scorsese would reunite years later for the critically acclaimed films, “The Irishman” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.

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2025-05-04 03:03