Robert De Niro Shares Why He Dropped Out of the Lead Role in 'Big'

Robert De Niro is opening up about being cast in Big!

The Oscar-winning actor stopped by The Tonight Show for a virtual appearance on Monday (June 7) and spoke with Jimmy Fallon about his brief involvement in the film.

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Jimmy asked Robert a few true or false questions during the show and the audience was shocked when the actor revealed that he had been cast in the film as Josh, the leading role that ultimately went to Tom Hanks.

As for why he ultimately parted ways with the movie, Robert said it came down to some negotiations that happened behind-the-scenes.

“We had a thing with the negotiation, the thing, so it went the way it went,” he explained. “So, it’s fine.”

Robert also addressed whether or not he ad libbed one of his most iconic lines, when Travis Bickle says, “Are you talkin’ to me?” in Taxi Driver.

The actor said rumors that he had improved the line were “more or less” true and added that he still hears the line frequently from fans.

“Sometimes from odd places,” he said. “I remember years ago in L.A., down in the valley, a bunch of kids pulled up next to me at a red light and say, ‘Are you talkin’ to me?’ I don’t know how they recognized me.”

Robert recently revealed how he got injured while filming the upcoming movie Killers of the Flower Moon.