Ok, we have to admit, the indie gangster biopic “Gotti: Three Generations” always seemed more like an expensive publicity stunt than an actual movie to us, but full respect to Fiore Films, they now have our full attention as there has been some tremendous movement on the picture over the past couple of days.
Variety reports that Al Pacino, who paired with Barry Levinson on last year’s critically acclaimed and Emmy winning “You Don’t Know Jack,” will reteam with the director on “Gotti: Three Generations.” Levinson, who was a writer on “…And Justice For All” and a producer on “Donnie Brasco,” has slotted Pacino in the role of Neil Dellacroce aka “Father O’Neil” and “The Tall Guy.” A long standing, and highly respected member of the Gambino crime family, he prevented any movement against Paul Castellano, who upset some members of the Gottis for placing a ban on drug dealing by the organization.
Levinson has brought another former collaborator into the fold as well, with the trade also reporting that James Toback has come aboard to rewrite the script with Levinson. Toback penned “Bugsy” and Levinson also appeared in a documentary “The Outsider” about the making of Toback’s film “When Will I Be Loved.”
While it started out a bit wobbly, “Gotti: Three Generations” is now bringing the heat with Pacino joining John Travolta, Joe Pesci, Lindsay Lohan, Kelly Preston and Ella Bleu Travolta in the film. Papa Travolta is shooting Oliver Stone‘s “Savages” this summer so production on ‘Gotti’ isn’t slated to begin until late fall, but a 2012 release is still in the works.
