Mike Newell has come on board to direct Robert De Niro’s drama “The Comedian,” based on Art Linson’s script, with plans to begin production in New York in November, Variety reports.

Linson will produce with Courtney Solomon and Atmosphere’s Mark Canton, who are both financing.

De Niro will play a Don Rickles-style standup comic who specializes in insults, with the script’s standup material written by Comedy Central Roast mainstay Jeffrey Ross.

De Niro will be seen later this year in Warner Bros.’ “The Intern” opposite Anne Hathaway and in David O. Russell’s “Joy,” playing the father of Jennifer Lawrence’s character.

Newell’s credits include “Great Expectations,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.”