Robert De Niro has exited the filming of Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated film “Killers of the Flower Moon” after suffering a leg injury that requires medical treatment. The incident, which occurred off-set, involved a torn quadriceps muscle, as De Niro explained in a recent interview with IndieWire. “It’s just a simple stepping over something and I just went down,” he stated, describing the pain as excruciating. Despite the setback, he reassured fans that his injury would not disrupt the production schedule, as he was already planning a brief hiatus from filming.
The film, which explores the tragic disappearances and deaths of Native Americans in the 1920s, has been in production since last month after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. De Niro’s character is described as “sedentary,” which he believes will allow him to manage his recovery without impacting his performance. As filming progresses in Oklahoma, set images have surfaced, including glimpses of De Niro alongside co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jesse Plemons.
In a significant development, the film’s distribution rights have been retained by Paramount Pictures, ensuring a wide theatrical release, unlike Scorsese’s previous work, “The Irishman,” which faced distribution challenges. De Niro emphasized the importance of theatrical experiences, stating, “Movie theatres are essential.” He expressed hope that audiences would return to cinemas as conditions improve, advocating for initiatives to encourage attendance.
As De Niro prepares for his medical procedure, the film remains on track for its release on AppleTV+, with expectations that it will resonate with audiences eager for compelling storytelling and historical narratives. The actor’s commitment to the project and the cinematic experience underscores the resilience of the film industry amid ongoing challenges.