Director of Scorsese Doc Reveals Why a Major Collaborator Refused to Join

by

The Apple TV+ docuseries Mr. Scorsese explores the life and career of legendary director Martin Scorsese. Having directed films since 1967, Scorsese has created iconic movies across many genres, including classics like Taxi Driver and After Hours, and more recent works such as The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon. The series highlights his enduring success, aided by the many collaborators who share their insights – though not all of them agreed to be interviewed.

Martin Scorsese has had a huge effect on filmmaking and has worked with countless famous actors, so it’s not surprising many of them wanted to share their thoughts on his work and how he directs. The new five-part documentary covers his life, from his childhood and early success, through personal challenges, and up to the present day. While stars like Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jodie Foster participated, one of his original collaborators, Joe Pesci, chose not to be interviewed.

Director Rebecca Miller told Variety that Joe Pesci was the only person who declined to be interviewed for the documentary. He simply didn’t want to participate. However, the documentary itself reveals why: Martin Scorsese discusses Pesci’s acting process and what made his performances so believable.

Joe Pesci Pulled From Real Life Inspirations For His Work in Martin Scorsese’s Films


Warner Bros.

Miller explained Joe Pesci’s reluctance to participate in the documentary, noting that Pesci himself touched on it, saying he doesn’t like revisiting the difficult experiences that informed his powerful performance. Many of Pesci’s most memorable scenes in GoodFellas were based on real events he’d witnessed, contributing to the film’s realism. However, this dedication to authenticity also made it painful for Pesci to discuss those roles, as Miller pointed out that Pesci was more deeply affected by the subject matter than Scorsese was, and prefers not to relive those memories.

Joe Pesci’s dedication to films like Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Irishman is truly impressive, and he’s been a vital creative partner for Martin Scorsese, helping to realize the director’s vision. Though Pesci prefers not to revisit his iconic performances, his films remain powerful testaments to his talent. For those interested in learning more about Scorsese himself, the documentary Mr. Scorsese offers extensive insights from many other well-known figures in the industry.

Read More

2025-10-25 19:22