Mafia figure Frank Costello not only served as the inspiration for legendary film characters such as Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone in The Godfather and as the namesake for Jack Nicholson’s Frank Costello in The Departed, but he is also considered one of the few American Mafia bosses who retired from active business and enjoyed a relatively ordinary later life. His more or less voluntary withdrawal was prompted by a 1957 assassination attempt during a clash with his former associate Vito Genovese, which Costello survived. This conflict is the central theme of the Mafia thriller Alto Knights, whose first trailer has now been unveiled:
What makes Alto Knights particularly intriguing is the fact that both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese are played by Robert De Niro. It almost seems as though Al Pacino or the now-retired Joe Pesci had no time or interest in another mob film. In reality, the 81-year-old De Niro was planned from the beginning to take on the dual role. De Niro is no stranger to this genre, likely having more experience in it than any other Hollywood actor. Whether in Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Once Upon a Time in America, The Untouchables, GoodFellas, Casino, or more recently The Irishman, De Niro and Mafia films are a match made in heaven (or perhaps hell).
Alto Knights: Mixed Reactions from Test Screenings
New York City is firmly in the grip of organized crime, with Mafia bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese vying for control of the bustling metropolis. Once friends, they have been locked in a years-long spiral of terror that can only end with one of their deaths.
The film is directed by Barry Levinson, initially titled Wise Guys. The 82-year-old filmmaker has not directed a major feature film in years, focusing instead on TV series and made-for-TV movies. His relatively low-budget $50 million Mafia thriller marks his first theatrical release in a decade. The screenplay is by Nicholas Pileggi, known for penning GoodFellas and Casino. Interestingly, the script has been circulating since the 1970s, but Warner Bros. only gave the green light for production in 2022.
The film’s release was initially planned for early 2024 but faced multiple delays. Reports from test screenings (via World of Reel) suggest mixed reactions. On the one hand, Levinson’s choice of a classic narrative structure is praised for delivering not just an engaging Mafia thriller but also an excellent drama. On the other hand, criticism has been aimed at the portrayal of the rivalry between Costello and Genovese, which some viewers felt lacked emotional depth due to the absence of a depiction of their former friendship.
In addition to Robert De Niro’s dual role, the cast includes Cosmo Jarvis, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Matt Servitto, Wallace Langham, Carrie Lazar, Belmont Cameli, and Mouis Mustillo. Alto Knights is set to premiere in local theaters on March 20, 2025.
For anyone fascinated by Mafia films, the Godfather series remains an unmissable classic.
