The Alto Knights: Release date, plot, cast and more about Robert De Niro's upcoming biographical crime drama

Robert De Niro is coming back to his mafia charm with The Alto Knights and this time it is the double bonanza, as he will be playing a dual role, Vito Genovese and Frank Costello. This is based on true events where friends have turned into enemies.

Barry Levinson is directing the film with whom De Niro has worked before on Wag the Dog and Sleeper. It was first titled Wise Guys, where the production began in 2022. Although the idea has been there for as early as the 1970s. The film was scheduled to release in February 2025 but then was shifted.

Other than Robert De Niro, the film stars Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci, and more in titular roles. Moreover, it was produced by Irwin Winkler, Barry Levinson, Jason Sosonoff, Charles Winkler, and David Winkler. David Fleming has given the film's music and has previously worked with veterans like Hans Zimmer and Atli Orvarsson.

When is The Alto Knights releasing?

The film was delayed a couple of times as it was first going to release in November 2024 but then it was put on for a new release window in February 2024. Now it is again shifted to the following month and will be coming out on March 21, 2025.

Apart from The Alto Knights, there will be another movie Warner Bros. will be releasing, Mickey 17. The film stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and more. 2025 will see numerous anticipated movies by the production company, where Companion, Superman, and Mortal Kombat 2 are something fans are eagerly waiting for.

What is The Alto Knights about?

The Alto Knights is about two mob bosses dubbed, Vito Genovese, and Frank Costello, which De Niro will be playing. The title of the film is the name of one club popular among mob bosses. It indicates that there could be more to the story but these two will remain the focus.

The official synopsis of the film reads:

The film follows two of New York’s most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, as they vie for control of the city’s streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.

What we know is that the Genovese attempt to assassinate Frank but then he somehow survives.

The cast of The Alto Knights

Other than De Niro, there is Debra Messing, who is playing Frank's wife, Bobbie Costello. Kathrine Narducci portrays Genovese's (played by De Niro) wife, Anna Genovese. Cosmo Jarvis is playing another mob boss, namely Vincent Gigante, whom Genovese ordered to kill Frank.

The other members of the cast are as follows:

Matt Servitto as George Wolf
Carrie Lazar as LT. Trooper
Belmont Cameli as Frankie Boy
Louis Mustillo as Joe Bonanno
Joseph Moreland as Juror
Robert Arce as Keith Norval
Bob Glouberman as Victor Riesel
Ed Amatrudo as Rudolph Halley
James Ciccone as Carlo Gambino
Jean Zarzour as Elsa Anastasia

Though the film is said to have a runtime of 120 minutes, it is hardly possible to include all the aspects of the real-life events that happened around the club.