James Franco Sent Script But “No Plans” For Him To Join The Film
Movement continues on a gestating biopic of famed mobster John Gotti Sr. Earlier this year it was revealed that John Gotti Jr. was going to spill details about his life with his father, the notorious John Gotti Sr. (head of the Gambino crime family), for feature film, documentary and book projects. The feature film looks to be the first project with any steam behind it as in December, Nick Cassavetes became attached to direct. And if the producer behind the film Marc Fiore — who is given to a bit of hyperbole — is to be believe, a big actor is eying the lead role.
John Travolta is apparently in “serious talks” to take on the lead role with Fiore breathlessly telling EW, “We would love to have him. He’s a terrific actor. John Gotti, Sr. — he’s an icon. And so is Travolta … The Gottis have an image already. People know who they are. You can’t just be a good actor, you have to be a great actor who can become John Gotti.” But we would take things with a grain of salt.
Fiore also told EW that he was in “very preliminary talks” with James Franco for the part of John Gotti Jr. in the film, but when the site followed up with his reps they said, “A script was sent to him. That’s all. There are no plans for him to do it at this time.” So it remains to be seen how “serious” these talks really are.
“It’s going to be the new ‘Godfather,’” Fiore said while conveniently forgetting that the screenwriter Leo Rossi — whose only credits are two are “We’re Talking Serious Money” and the awful looking “Mafioso: The Father, the Son” — is penning the screenplay. We’ll wait and see what he’s got before making comparisons to Francis Ford Coppola. The project is aiming to shoot this summer with the Gotti family on board as consultants.