De Niro's actor trade

Feb 4, 2007, 11:30 GMT

Actor Robert De Niro © Inside Insidefoto / Photorazzi

Robert De Niro and his director friend Martin Scorsese are in the habit of trading actors.

De Niro, 63, agreed to surrender Leonardo DiCaprio, his first choice for his second directorial outing 'The Good Shepherd', so he could star in Scorsese's 'The Departed'.

In return, the 'Gangs of New York' filmmaker released Matt Damon from shooting early so he could play CIA chief Edward Wilson in De Niro's movie.

De Niro and Scorsese have shared a long working partnership and friendship and the legendary actor has his fingers that his friend will finally scoop the Best Director accolade at the year's Oscars.

He said: "I hope Marty gets the Oscar, just because he deserves it for the other films. We'll see, you know."

De Niro has also he can make two more films with Scorsese.

He said: "I just think if we can get those two numbers, make an even ten, I'll be happy. We've started things, but over the years, you get distracted. We're anxiously waiting to come up with something."

The pair's cinematic collaborations include 'Mean Streets', 'Taxi Driver', 'GoodFellas, 'Raging Bull' and 'Casino'.

(C) BANG Media International