De Niro in The Winter of Frankie Machine

Though the weather is slowly becoming colder here on the East Coast, writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien are nothing but hot, having just signed a low seven-figure deal to adapt Don Winslow's novel, The Winter of Frankie Machine. Attached to star in yet another mob-related film, Robert De Niro will play the lead role, as well as produce the pic alongside partner Jane Rosenthal through their Tribeca Films shingle.

The writing duo, who are currently working on Ocean's Thirteen and previously shelled out the scripts for Rounders, Knockaround Guys and Walking Tall, are in charge of a story that revolves around a mob hitman who has since retired from "the business" in exchange for a quiet life as the owner of a bait shop. However, he finds himself back in action when the son of a mob boss asks for his help on a job, though it doesn't take long for him to discover the entire thing is nothing but a set up, as he is the intended target for a hit.

I don't know about you, but I'm really losing interest in mob flicks. While I thoroughly enjoyed The Departed (which I just saw last night), I feel Hollywood should take its mob train and let it collect dust in a yard for awhile. Anyone else feel that way?