Last month, it was announced that John Travolta would be starring as infamous mobster John Gotti Sr. in the independently financed film Gotti: Three Generations. Today, in support of the project, a press conference was held at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan, New York where some more tidbits about the project emerged. [THR]
First, it was announced that Joe Pesci has signed on for a role in the film, playing Gambino crime family deputy Angelo Ruggiero. Also mentioned was Lindsay Lohan, who the producers said is in talks to play Gotti Sr.’s daughter Victoria Gotti. They also expect to announce who will be playing the part of John Gotti Jr., who eventually takes over the Gambino family from his father, in the next week or two but they have met with someone and negotiations are going on.
I like the casting so far; Travolta does have some talent hidden inside of him and I think that he will be pulling out all the stops for this role probably because he smells a chance at an Oscar. The addition of Pesci is always welcome, especially when it comes to a mob movie; I mean, how can you have a movie about the mob and not include him? As for Lohan, I could care less but I’m sure you feel the same. All in all, my interest is definitely piqued and everyone involved seems to want to do the story justice. If they don’t, I’m sure someone will fit them for cement shoes real quick.
Gotti: Three Generations is being independently financed by Fiore Films for an unspecified amount. Nick Cassavetes has signed on to direct the movie, from a script by Leo Rossi, which will go across 35 years of Gotti/Gambino family history with a special focus on Gotti Sr.’s relationship with his son Gotti Jr. Principal photography on Gotti: Three Generations begins in October.
What do you think about the casting?