Working alongside a legend like Robert De Niro can be both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, sharing the screen with an icon of his stature can elevate an actor’s career, especially if they manage to hold their own against such a powerhouse. On the other hand, standing toe-to-toe with one of the greatest actors of all time demands nothing less than your absolute best—anything less, and you risk being overshadowed.
Kevin Costner experienced this firsthand when he starred opposite De Niro in Brian De Palma’s gripping gangster drama, The Untouchables. Costner took on the role of Eliot Ness, the determined lawman tasked with cleaning up crime-ridden Chicago during the Prohibition era. Alongside Sean Connery’s seasoned mentor, Jimmy Malone, Ness faces off against De Niro’s Al Capone, a role that seemed tailor-made for the legendary actor. The film pits Ness’s unwavering moral compass against Capone’s ruthless charisma, creating a dynamic that was as electrifying as it was daunting for Costner.
Reflecting on the experience, Costner admitted to Entertainment Weekly that some scenes with De Niro were particularly challenging. “I had trouble with some of the scenes with [De Niro], because my character was very straight-arrow,” he explained. “Robert was able to jump off the page. I was trying to survive with my straight-arrow language against someone who was throwing a level of street language at me that had a level of improv to it. So it was hard for me to survive in some of those scenes, and Sean talked to me a little bit about it.”
The contrast between Ness and Capone couldn’t have been starker. Ness was the embodiment of law and order, a by-the-book cop determined to bring justice to a corrupt city. Capone, on the other hand, was a flamboyant, rule-breaking crime lord who thrived in chaos. While Capone’s larger-than-life persona naturally drew attention, Costner had the tougher task of making Ness’s rigid morality compelling and relatable. It was a delicate balance—portraying a hero who was principled yet human, especially when pitted against a villain as magnetic as De Niro’s Capone.
For Costner, The Untouchables arrived at a pivotal moment in his career. Fresh off his breakthrough role in the 1985 Western Silverado, he needed another hit to cement his status as a leading man. Playing Eliot Ness, a figure already etched into American folklore, added another layer of pressure. Get it right, and Costner would solidify his place in Hollywood history. Get it wrong, and he risked being remembered as the actor who failed to do justice to a national hero.
To prepare, Costner immersed himself in Ness’s life, uncovering a story far more complex than the myth. “I remember checking on him and his life,” Costner shared. “It wasn’t as rosy as people might want to think. But the truth is, you’re stuck inside the lines of something that’s written… I understood the history of him, but I really was having to play this character.” Despite the challenges, Costner delivered a performance that resonated with audiences, balancing Ness’s moral rigidity with a quiet strength and vulnerability.
The film was a resounding success, earning critical acclaim and grossing over four times its budget at the box office. Costner’s portrayal of Ness not only held its own against De Niro’s iconic Capone but also showcased his ability to bring depth to a character who could have easily come across as one-dimensional. In the end, it was a testament to Costner’s skill and determination that he turned what could have been a thankless role into a memorable and nuanced performance.
As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron, and Costner’s experience working with De Niro was a masterclass in rising to the occasion. While it may have been intimidating to share the screen with such a formidable talent, Costner proved that even the straightest arrow can hit the bullseye when it counts.
