Robert De Niro comments on Martin Scorsese’s Devil in the White City movie. Erik Larson’s bestselling book about H.H. Holmes, considered the first American serial killer who committed his crimes at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, was originally optioned for a film adaptation in 2010 with Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio attached to direct and star, though the project spent over a decade in development hell. But recently, the Devil in the White City movie was reportedly revived at 20th Century Studios with Scorsese and DiCaprio still attached.

Now, Scorsese’s most frequent collaborator is commenting on the project. During an exclusive interview with ScreenRant for his new Netflix series Zero Day, Robert De Niro was asked if he has spoken to Scorsese about a role in The Devil in the White City. However, he didn’t seem to know anything about the project, including if the director will offer him a role. Read his full response below:

No, I don’t know much about that. I didn’t know, but I’ll hear about it I’m sure. But I don’t know if he’s going to offer me anything or what. I don’t know anything about it.

What Robert De Niro’s Comments Mean For Martin Scorsese’s Devil In The White City

Is Scorsese Serious About The Project?

Robert De Niro is Martin Scorsese’s most frequent collaborator, as they have made 10 movies together to date – Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), New York, New York (1977), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1982), Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Casino (1995), and The Irishman (2019). Their most recent collaboration was Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023, which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, and Best Supporting Actor for De Niro.

Whenever Scorsese makes a movie, there is a strong possibility of De Niro starring. However, he probably hasn’t heard anything about Devil in the White City since it’s not yet a serious project for Scorsese. The director also has A Life of Jesus and a Frank Sinatra biopic in the works, the latter starring DiCpario, which have reportedly stalled and been postponed. Instead, Scorsese is setting up a “Hawaii-set Goodfellas meets The Departed” with DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, and Emily Blunt starring. If Scorsese ever gets serious about making Devil in the White City, De Niro could get a call.

Our Take On Robert De Niro Starring In Devil In The White City

He’d Be Great For Daniel Burnham

While Leonardo DiCaprio would likely play the lead role of serial killer H.H. Holmes, Robert De Niro would be a great choice for the character of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. This would mark the fourth time that De Niro and DiCaprio have starred alongside each other after This Boy’s Life (1993), Marvin’s Room (1996), and Killers of the Flower Moon.

While De Niro played the despicable character of William King Hale in Killers of the Flower Moon, Daniel Burnham would offer something different for De Niro, as he was a prominent architect who faced immense obstacles during the World’s Fair, offering a counterbalance to the chilling murders committed by Holmes in The Devil in the White City.