The crime epic tells the story of powerful union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino), crime boss Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran (De Niro), who claimed he killed more than 25 people on their orders.

The film is adapted from “I Heard You Paint Houses,” a book by Charles Brandt based on interviews with Sheeran.

This is the first time that Pacino has worked with Scorsese and the ninth that De Niro has collaborated with the Oscar-winning veteran director. Pesci came out of retirement to work on the film.

The film also marks the fourth collaboration between acclaimed actors Pacino and De Niro, following “The Godfather: Part II”, “Heat”, and “Righteous Kill”.

Producers have used anti-ageing digital effects – based on a technology first developed by Industrial Light & Magic, founded by George Lucas.

The result is striking, particularly on the 75-year-old De Niro, who is made to look decades younger.

The film falls squarely in the wheelhouse of Scorsese, known for other crime epics like “Goodfellas,” “Casino” and “The Departed.” This time, he is working within the confines of real-life events.

The project has been in development for a decade and was rejected by several studios, mainly because of its high cost, before finding a home at Netflix.

According to several reports, the budget has exceeded US$140 million.

The film will make its world premiere on the opening night of the New York Film Festival on Sept 27. Getting the film is a coup for the festival, as it is one of the most anticipated movies of 2019.

Netflix plans to release the film in theatres before year’s end to ensure its eligibility for the Oscars.