Joe Mantegna will co-star in Raging Bull 2

It's actually happening. Production has just started on "Raging Bull II," which will be both a prequel and a sequel, since it will take place before and after Martin Scorsese's version. Martin Guigui (Beneath the Darkness) is directing.

William Forsythe stars as an older Jake La Motta, the character Robert De Niro played in the original film. Newcomer Mojean Aria will be the younger La Motta. The film co-stars Joe Mantegna, Tom Sizemore, Penelope Ann Miller, Natasha Henstridge, and Bill Bellamy.

Scorsese, who's not involved with "Raging Bull II," recently commented on the new film, stating: "At the end of 'Raging Bull,' [Jake La Motta is] looking in a mirror and he's at comfort with himself. He's not fighting, he's not beating himself up. That's all. So, I don't know where they're going to go. I really don't know what 'Raging Bull II' would be."

Source: Variety