Stevenson, Walken join 'Irishman'

Hensleigh to direct own script for Code

By TATIANA SIEGEL

Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer will star in Code Entertainment's mob drama "The Irishman."

Jonathan Hensleigh ("The Punisher") will direct from a screenplay he penned.

Project is based on the life of mobster Danny Greene (Stevenson), who lorded over Cleveland's criminal underworld during the late 1970s. Walken is onboard to play infamous loan-sharking nightclub owner Shondor Birns, and Kilmer will portray a Cleveland cop who befriends Greene.

Story was inspired by Rick Porrello's book "To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia."

Code's Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso are producing alongside Dundee Entertainment's Tommy Reid and actress Tara Reid, who brought the property to Code.

Jonathan Dana, Peter Miller and Porrello are exec producing.

Lensing begins May 19 in Detroit.

Stevenson, whose bigscreen credits include "King Arthur" and the upcoming "Book of Eli" and "Cirque du Freak," is best known for his starring role on the HBO series "Rome."

Founded in 1994, Code finances, develops and produces films that have included 2007's Ben Kingsley starrer "You Kill Me."

Lightning Entertainment, the Santa Monica-based sales and distribution company, will introduce "The Irishman" to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. ICM and Jonathan Dana are handling domestic sales.

Hensleigh, Walken and Kilmer are repped by ICM. Stevenson is handled by Endeavor.