According to the NY Post, popular yucksters Robert De Niro and Sean Penn are teaming up for The Comedian. De Niro stars as an insult comic in the vain of Don Rickles in the film scripted by Art Linson and Jeffrey Ross. Sean Penn is in talks to direct, not Martin Scorsese as previously reported.

I’m sure this will be the laugh-out loud hit of the year. Actually, all years. With the super-bubbly Sean Penn and Robert De Niro on board, how could it not be? Throw in a role for funnyman Russell Crowe and we may all need crutches from over-slapped knees.

Now, there’s a rumor going around that there’s going to be a return to that type of material for both of these movie giants, called The Comedian. It’s the baby of producer Art Linson, who wrote the script about an old insult comic in the Don Rickles mold. And De Niro reportedly loves the script, and Linson wants to get Martin Scorsese to direct it. No word on whether Scorsese is actually interested in such a project, and it will be a wonder if he is, since he’s got so much on his plate as it is, including another movie with De Niro, The Irishman. But, it’s nice to have hope. (Showbiz 411)