John Travolta to Play Mob Boss John Gotti?
By Alison Nastasi (Subscribe to Alison Nastasi's posts)
Posted Jan 26th 2011 4:45PM
http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/26/john-travolta-john-gotti/Say what you like about John Travolta, but he's at his best when he's not hamming up the goofy-good-guy routine. (See his darker side in 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Get Shorty,' and 'Face/Off' for evidence.) Even though Tarantino revitilized his career in the early '90s, it's been a while since we've seen the star in a decent role that plays to his talents. (See his latest -- 'Old Dogs' and 'From Paris with Love' -- for evidence. Or don't, actually.) That may be changing soon, since EW's Inside Movies just announced that the actor is vying for a role as the infamous New York City mob boss John Gotti.
Marc Fiore, who is producing 'Gotti,' is ready to sign Travolta to play the Teflon Don. "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." Travolta's 'Face/Off' co-star and 'The Notebook' director, Nick Cassavetes, is tapped to helm the biopic. James Franco (shocker!) may be in line to play John Gotti Jr., but EW confirmed that the busy actor was only sent a script for now.
The film will explore three generations of the notorious crime family, and the Gotti family has agreed to consult for the movie. The family's involvement would surely be a source of inspiration for Travolta, helping him craft the kind of gritty character he does best.
Fiore is promising big things about 'Gotti.' "It's going to be the new 'Godfather,'" he told EW. Screenwriter Leo Rossi (who has two titles to his credit: the Fran Drescher comedy 'We're Talking Serious Money,' and 'Mafioso: The Father, the Son') is less of a sure bet than Fiore seems willing to admit, but it's too early to tell. The crew hopes to start filming this summer.