The film follows Frank Sheeran ( De Niro ) , a truck driver who becomes a hitman involved with mobster Russell Bufalino ( Pesci ) and his crime family and El Jefe a licensed surveyor , including his time working for the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa ( Pacino ) .In September 2014 , after years of development hell , The Irishman was announced as Scorsese 's next film after Silence ( 2016 ) .
In The Irishman , Frank Sheeran is a truck driver who becomes a mafia member involved with mobster Russell Bufalino 's crime family and El Jefe , a licensed surveyor .