Movie news just got a whole lot fluffier! You know Robert De Niro right? Legendary actor serious guy. Well get this his latest crime drama "The Alto Knights" has some unexpected stars: his very own dogs! And apparently these aren't just background pups they're scene-stealers in mink coats according to Debra Messing his co-star.
Debra Messing Dishes on De Niro's Furry Co-Stars: "Those Are Bob's Real Dogs!"
Debra Messing who you probably remember from "Will & Grace" is starring alongside De Niro in "The Alto Knights". They play husband and wife in the movie Frank and Bobbie Costello. Now this on-screen couple might not have kids but they do have something else very important: spoiled and stylish dogs.
Messing couldn't stop gushing about working with these canine actors on "The Today Show". She revealed "It was incredible. First of all they are Bob's real dogs. Those are his dogs which made me laugh so hard. He walked in with these little dogs. I was like 'Okay this doesn't compute.' But it was amazing."
Apparently the dogs' roles grew bigger than planned thanks to Messing herself. She shared a funny story "I had a scene where I was by myself and they don't have children and I said 'Bob you know the dogs are our kids. Can I borrow your dogs?' He said 'You want to borrow my dogs?' I was like 'Yeah!' He goes 'Yeah.'"
And just like that De Niro's pups became movie stars. But the best part? Messing added "So the dogs got a much much bigger role than was originally intended. They were also dressed in mink coats!" Mink coats for dogs in a gangster movie? Comedy gold.
De Niro Explains the Doggy Casting and the Mink Coat Wardrobe - "They Had To Audition!"
De Niro himself talked about his dogs' roles on "The One Show" giving his side of the story. Turns out it was his girlfriend Tiffany Chen who suggested it. De Niro said "It was in the script so my girlfriend we have a lot of dogs so she said 'Maybe you could put these dogs in or one of them?'"
He then introduced the idea to director Barry Levinson. And get this De Niro joked that the dogs had to "audition"! He said "I said 'OK let me introduce them to Barry Levinson the director.' They had to audition!" Messing laughed along adding to the fun story.
De Niro continued explaining the mink coat fashion choices. It was all about practicality and character he claimed. "So then we somehow got into a thing of how they would dress" De Niro said. "And since it was cold weather walking them in the park it seemed to make sense that with these characters the dogs would wear something to protect them."
And if you are going for protection why not go full mob boss style? "And if they were going to wear something to protect them it might as well be mink. So that's what we outfitted them with mink coats and hats" he said. Mink coats and hats for gangster dogs. It’s official this movie is going to be unforgettable.
Messing Gushes About Working with De Niro: "He's a Gentleman Kind and Funny"
Beyond the doggy drama Messing also had amazing things to say about working with Robert De Niro himself. She called him "a gentleman" during her "Today" show appearance. She added "He's kind and he's funny. It was the greatest privilege of my life to play a mob boss' wife opposite Robert De Niro." High praise indeed!
The Alto Knights: Gangsters Dogs and Mink Coats - What's the Movie About?
Okay so mink-coat-wearing dogs are amazing but what is "The Alto Knights" actually about? De Niro is doing double duty playing twin gangsters Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. The movie is set in the world of New York organized crime and it sounds intense.
The official synopsis says the movie follows these two notorious mob bosses as they "vie for control of the city's streets". Apparently they start as best friends but "petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever." Sounds like classic gangster movie drama with a furry and fashionable twist thanks to De Niro's dogs.
Key Facts About De Niro's Dog Cameos in 'The Alto Knights':
- Robert De Niro's real dogs appear in the movie.
- They play the "kids" of Debra Messing and Robert De Niro's characters.
- Debra Messing suggested giving the dogs bigger roles.
- The dogs are dressed in mink coats and hats.
- De Niro joked the dogs had to "audition" for the roles.
- The mink coats were supposedly for "cold weather protection".
Get Ready for Canine Capers and Crime Drama: The Alto Knights is Coming Soon!
So if you are ready for a gangster movie with a seriously unique twist "The Alto Knights" is one to watch. Robert De Niro playing twin mob bosses Debra Messing as his wife and scene-stealing dogs in mink coats? It sounds like a wild ride. The movie is hitting theaters soon so get your tickets ready and prepare for some pawsome and possibly slightly absurd entertainment.