MOVIE NEWS – Taxi Driver writer criticises Robert De Niro’s iconic film role in a recent Uber ad.

Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader took to Facebook to share his reaction to a now-debunked rumour that Robert De Niro is reprising the role of Travis Bickle.

Paul Schrader, the screenwriter of Taxi Driver, has responded to rumours that the film’s star, Robert De Niro, will appear as the lead in the upcoming Uber ad in the UK.

The 77-year-old writing legend condemned the star of the 1976 Martin Scorsese drama after he shared a post. In it, it is claimed that De Niro would reprise his role as Travis Bickle, where he would recite his famous lines in the favourite Taxi Driver ad-libbed.

Schrader took to his Facebook page to share his dismay at the rumour that De Niro would be returning to the famous world of Taxi Driver.

“Why Bob would do this is beyond my reckoning. But I haven’t seen it. If I’m lucky I never will.”

However, The Hollywood Reporter reported that De Niro’s representative denied the allegations. In response to comments from Schrader and others, they clarified the news. It’s true that De Niro will appear in Uber U.K. commercials. However, not as Travis Bickle.

Taxi Driver has inspired many films over the years, from Jackie Brown to Batman. It’s easy to understand the desire of the film’s writer and audience to leave it at that. Don’t sully the film’s legacy by having De Niro return as Bickle. Especially not like this, in a commercial that would inevitably make a joke of the film’s memory…

Source: Facebook, THR