ABC6 Exclusive: RI producer Chad Verdi talks “The Irishman,” local films
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — “The Irishman” was nominated for ten Oscars this year, and the executive producer of that acclaimed film is none other than Rhode Island’s own Chad Verdi.
Verdi spent Sunday night in Hollywood, where he got to take in the Oscars in person. Before he headed west, I sat down with him at his production company in East Greenwich, where we began by talking about “The Irishman” and sharing a set with Hollywood legends like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.
“Being on set and watching them is just magical,” said Verdi. “Bob–Robert De Niro–is very strict on set. Joe, he’s busting chops. Anything to get someone to laugh. And then Al is in between that. But really there’s a connection with Joe Pesci. People don’t know this, but Joe Pesci was one of the original screenwriters for the movie we made, ‘Bleed for This.'”
Verdi also opened up about working with director Martin Scorsese, with whom he has developed a close relationship over the years.
“We’re dear friends. It started around six years ago on a documentary called the 50-year argument. And then obviously he joined me on ‘Bleed for This.’ He just has so much energy. He’s 78 years old and you would think he’s 58 years old. He works 18 hour days. And he’s the leader,” said Verdi.
In addition to ‘Bleed for This,’ Verdi worked with local director Tom DeNucci on ‘Vault’ last year, which chronicles a real-life heist in Providence. Verdi spoke about the experience of shooting films in Rhode Island and portraying people and events in his home state.
“It’s very exciting, but even important that–you talk about ‘Bleed for This’ and ‘Vault’–they’re real stories. They’re true stories. I love making true stories. ‘Vault’ was phenomenal to film in Rhode Island. But then you talk about ‘Bleed for This.’ Vinny Paz! Professional boxer from Rhode Island. Us being born and raised here, I think we’re able to get things done a lot quicker, and utilize the state, which is great,” said Verdi.
Finally I asked Verdi what’s next.
“I think ‘Ask Athena’ is a movie that we’re going to film in May in the state of Rhode Island. We’re excited about that. ‘Wander: A Psychological Thriller.’ You can’t get bigger actors than we have been able to get in our films, and when you work with someone like Aaron Eckhart, and you move into with Tommy Lee Jones, and you have Heather Graham and Katheryn Winnick, it really gets exciting. Good quality films with great actors, and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”
“Both ‘Ask Athena’ and ‘Wander: A Psychological Thriller are set to come out in 2021.
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