Scorsese didn't ask me to be on 'Boardwalk Empire': Robert De Niro

Los Angeles: Legendary actor Robert De Niro says his frequent collaborator, filmmaker Martin Scorsese did not ask him to be a part of the gangster series "Boardwalk Empire".

The 72-year-old "The Godfather" actor, who has collaborated with Scorsese for eight feature films and one shirt film since 1973, said he was fine even if the maverick director did not approach him for an appearance, reported Entertainment Weekly. "No, Marty didn't ask me, but that's fine... He had his reasons, and it might not have even occurred to him to ask me about it," he said.

Scorsese, 72, executive produced and directed the pilot of the HBO gangster series "Boardwalk Empire".

De Niro however, declines that there is any ill will between the two and praised the filmmaker.

"He's very easy, he goes with your ideas, he's very, very flexible, and takes whatever he can from every actor. Yet he's very clear as a director, and guides it, the piece, in the direction he feels he should. He gives you a lot of support."

Scorsese and De Niro collaborated for the first time in 1973 on the gangster film "Mean Streets" and have given memorable films including "Taxi Driver", "New York, New York", "Raging Bull", "Goodfellas" and the 1995 film "Casino".