Robert De Niro’s Boldest Role Yet: Playing Two Mobsters in ‘The Alto Knights’
Robert De Niro is no stranger to the mob movie genre, but his latest film, The Alto Knights , takes things to a whole new level. At 81 years old, De Niro does something he’s never done before—he plays two major roles in the same film, portraying both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two legendary crime bosses who were once friends but later became bitter rivals. The film, directed by Barry Levinson, is set to hit theaters this Friday, and fans are eager to see how De Niro pulls off this ambitious cinematic feat.
Now, imagine this: Two mobsters, sitting across from each other, engaged in a heated conversation. But instead of two actors, it’s Robert De Niro playing both roles. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s exactly what he does in The Alto Knights , and according to De Niro himself, it was quite the challenge. He recently shared on Late Night with Seth Meyers that it was an “interesting” experience acting opposite himself. And let’s be real—if there’s anyone who can pull off such a demanding role, it’s De Niro.
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The idea for De Niro to play both characters didn’t come from the start. Initially, he was only set to portray Frank Costello. But producer Irwin Winkler, who has worked with De Niro on classics like Raging Bull , Goodfellas , and The Irishman , threw out the bold idea: “What if Bob played both roles?” Director Barry Levinson was intrigued, and after giving it some thought, De Niro was on board.
To make the distinction between the two characters clear, De Niro gave each of them unique traits. As Vito Genovese, he speaks with a higher pitch, faster, and more aggressively. Meanwhile, as Frank Costello, his speech is slower, more deliberate. Add in some subtle prosthetic makeup, and suddenly, De Niro becomes two completely different people on screen. But how did he manage to make those conversations between Frank and Vito feel real? That’s where an interesting technique came in.
For the scenes where both characters interact, De Niro worked with another actor, Joe Bacino, who stood in for whichever role De Niro wasn’t playing at the moment. This allowed him to react naturally rather than just reciting lines to an empty space or a script supervisor. It was a meticulous process—each scene had to be filmed twice, once as each character, with careful planning to make sure everything flowed seamlessly.
Director Barry Levinson emphasized that the key to making it all work was ensuring the scenes felt organic, not mechanical. The dialogues were adjusted so that lines could overlap naturally, making the interactions feel as fluid as any normal conversation. Some of the most complex scenes take place in a candy store and at a booth in the Waldorf-Astoria, where De Niro seamlessly switches between Costello and Genovese.
When asked how he felt about the final result, De Niro admitted, “I wasn’t sure how well it would work, but I thought it worked OK.” A humble response from a legendary actor who has once again pushed the boundaries of his craft.
So, if you’re a fan of De Niro, mob movies, or just incredible acting, The Alto Knights is a film you won’t want to miss. Get ready to witness Robert De Niro, not once, but twice, in a cinematic showdown that promises to be unforgettable.
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