Joe Pesci has not made a movie since 1998's Lethal Weapon 4. Now he is back doing what he does best: living a life of crime.

According to Film Jerk, Robert De Niro has dragged his buddy Joe Pesci into a small but important role in his latest film The Good Shepherd. Pesci will play, to no great shock, a crime boss named Palmi. The Good Shepherd will be directed by De Niro, and has a solid cast including himself, Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Billy Crudup.

The real life story is about James Wilson (Damon), one of the founding officers of the CIA. The film spans the history of his involvement with the Office of Strategic Services, from World War II to the Cold War, and shows the impact it had on his personal relationships. Probably hard to keep a stable relationship when you're chin-deep in governmental missions. But then again, women do like a man in uniform.

Universal Studios will release the film on December 22, 2006.