Hollywood actor Joe Pesci is no stranger to playing roles in movies about gangsters. In fact Pesci won his Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas. So it was no surprise when it was announced that he was to star in the movie, Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father.
However, since the initial director Nick Cassavetes decided to leave the movie to pursue other projects, it was said that Joe Pesci decided that he no longer wanted to be involved either. Yet Joe has now claimed that he is seeking legal action against Fiore Films.
Pesci is citing breach of contract, claiming that Mike Fiore used his name to promote some excitement around the movie, before later withdrawing the contract offered to him. Now Mike Fiore is considering countersuing Joe Pesci, claiming that he did in fact quit the project.
Fiore explained, "Before we had a deal, Mr Pesci walked away. He's wasting his time and everybody else's time. I might be a newbie in town. This newbie is not going to get bullied around." Pesci is trying to seek $3 million, which he believes he is owed for the contract terms agreed and punitive damages.
Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father is now set to be directed by Barry Levinson, who also has an Oscar to his name for the 1988 hit movie Rain Man. Gotti will also star Al Pacino, John Travolta and Lindsay Lohan. It is set to be released sometime towards the end of 2012.
