Robert De Niro’s ‘The Comedian’ Taps Mike Newell to Direct

Mike Newell has come on board to direct Robert De Niro’s drama “The Comedian,” based on Art Linson’s script, with plans to begin production in New York in November.

Linson will produce with Courtney Solomon and Atmosphere’s Mark Canton, who are both financing.

De Niro will play a Don Rickles-style standup comic who specializes in insults, with the script’s standup material written by Comedy Central Roast mainstay Jeffrey Ross.

De Niro will be seen later this year in Warner Bros.’ “The Intern” opposite Anne Hathaway and in David O. Russell’s “Joy,” playing the father of Jennifer Lawrence’s character.

Newell’s credits include “Great Expectations,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.”

De Niro is repped by CAA. Newell is repped by WME and Independent Talent.

The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.

Related stories

Zurich to Honor Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner

Patrick Doyle Honored by ASCAP

Fest Notebook: Titles Rank, Tensions Flare at Istanbul

Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter