Well, despite a lawsuit from Joe Pesci, movement continues on the indie production of “Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father,” as the film has added another strong actor to the improbably impressive cast.
While Dominic Cooper was recently rumored for the part, “The Messenger” and “3:10 to Yuma” star Ben Foster will take on the role of John Gotti Jr. (who is also a producer on the film) in the forthcoming biopic. So in other words, he’ll be playing John Travolta‘s son. Hmm. The film will chronicle Jr.’s life in the mob, the gang world his father played in and how he eventually got out. It’s certainly an opportunity for Gotti Jr. to get the version of his life story he wants out there.
The film has a script by James Toback, will be directed by Barry Levinson (who last worked with Foster over a decade ago in “Liberty Heights“) and also features Al Pacino, Kelly Preston and Ella Bleu among the cast. No word yet on a replacement for Pesci, but there is still plenty of time. While pre-production will begin this fall, shooting won’t start until January 2012. [THR]