A few websites around the cyber universe are abuzz with some of the most eye-opening and ultimately distressing news to fans of Raging Bull, the 1980 biopic directed by Martin Scorsese which told of the life of ex-middleweight boxer and champion Jake LaMotta. MovieHole is reporting that a prequel/sequel hybrid film is going to start production this summer, starring William Forsythe (Dick Tracy, Gotti, Boardwalk Empire) as LaMotta, who will try to fill the enormous shoes of playing the role that was made famous by Robert DeNiro in the original film.

Casting is currently underway for the new film, based on a book by the real LaMotta entitled Raging Bull II: The Continuing Story of Jake LaMotta. This new installment will show the pre and post career of LaMotta, bookending the original film. Forsythe plays the older LaMotta; who will be playing the younger LaMotta remains to be seen.

Reuters is reporting that while in Berlin for the Berlin Film Festival, director Martin Scorsese confirmed a dream of many film fans: the re-teaming of himself and Robert De Niro for another go in the violent world of mobsters.

When these two mega-stars of cinema history team up, classics have been known to be born. The first time they collaborated in 1973, a movie called Mean Streets was made. Since then, many beloved titles have followed, including Taxi Driver, New York, New York, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and Casino, which was the last time they worked together (not counting Shark Tale, of course).

In what sounds like the perfect next step for the duo, they are planning to work again, only this time, it sounds like it will be more of a reflection piece, with De Niro playing a big name in organized crime looking back on his life.