De Niro Portrays Rival Gangsters in New Film ‘The Alto Knights’

NEW YORK, NY — Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro stars as two rival gang leaders in The Alto Knights, directed by Barry Levinson. Set to premiere in theaters on March 21, 2025, the film explores the lives of Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, whose friendship evolved into a deadly rivalry within organized crime in the 1950s.

Originally, De Niro was to play only Costello, who led the Luciano crime family for two decades. However, producer Irwin Winkler‘s suggestion to cast De Niro in both roles transformed the project into a distinctive cinematic experience. In an interview with Late Night with Seth Meyers, De Niro expressed satisfaction with his dual role, stating, ‘I thought it worked OK.’

Levinson highlighted the film’s focus on the characters’ complex relationship, emphasizing their shared childhood and contrasting personal growth—one becoming aggressive, the other more thoughtful. ‘Bob was very meticulous about shaping those rhythms and ultimately finding two distinctive looks,’ Levinson told IndieWire.

Filming scenes where De Niro interacts with himself required precise choreography. ‘You have to plot those out, and then you basically have two days to shoot each scene,’ Levinson explained. To ensure fluid dialogue, actor Joe Bacino stood in for the character De Niro was not portraying at the time.

De Niro’s commitment to his dual roles extended beyond just dialogue; he worked to develop unique speech patterns and physical mannerisms for each character. ‘We spent a week working on the two characters’ faces,’ Levinson noted, highlighting the dedication to authenticity in portraying mafia figures.

As the narrative unfolds, viewers witness the evolving dynamics between Costello and Genovese, marked by ambition, betrayal, and the harsh realities of organized crime. Levinson stressed the importance of blending factual history with cinematic storytelling, reflecting on how to present the historical context while maintaining dramatic narrative integrity.

In an industry where creative storytelling often collides with historical events, Levinson and De Niro’s collaboration seeks to bring depth to the film’s narrative. ‘The goal is to create heartfelt performances that resonate with viewers,’ Levinson stated.

As The Alto Knights approaches its release, both Levinson and De Niro are eager for audiences to experience the film’s intricate portrayal of friendship and rivalry, signaling a significant addition to the crime drama genre.