Gotti biopic ‘coming together’

(Cover) - EN Movies - Financial issues on the John Gotti biopic are “sorted”, says writer and director Barry Levinson.

Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father has suffered from many financial and legal difficulties over the past few months.

However, Barry confirmed that those troubles are in the past and the film is ready to move forward.

"I think we've got the money sorted out now," he told E! at BAFTA LA's Britannia Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "It's coming together."

The main focus of the movie will be the relationship between mobster John Gotti Sr. and his son John Gotti Jr.

John Travolta will play the “dapper don” mob boss, while Al Pacino, Ben Foster and Kelly Preston will also appear.

"It's not just him, but John Gotti Jr.," Barry explained. "The dynamic that is interesting to me is Gotti Jr. growing up in the shadow of his father and thinking he was supposed to step up as the next Don and then suddenly realising that this is not a world he wants to be a part of and how do you deal with that."

The film was rumoured to be suffering because lead actor John was reportedly demanding an eight-figure pay check plus additional perks.

It was also reported that the project had been burdened with on-set bickering and squabbles between the team and the Gotti family, who have been involved since the beginning.

Earlier this year, Joe Pesci filed a lawsuit against the head production company Fiore Films.

Joe alleged he had been hired to play Angelo Ruggiero, a role which required gaining 30 lbs. and would see him earn $3 million. The actor claims he was then given a lesser role and offered just $1 million.

Marc Fiore, CEO of Fiore Films, has attempted to resolve the situation.

Filming is scheduled to begin in New York City in January 2012.

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