Showbiz

Joe Pesci suing Gotti movie producers for $3m

Published Thursday, Jul 28 2011, 07:56 BST | By Kate Goodacre | Add comment

Joe Pesci is planning to sue the producers of Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father for breach of contract.

The Goodfellas star claims that Fiore Films used his name to generate a buzz for the project before retracting his offer to play mob enforcer Angelo Ruggiero, according to TMZ. He plans to sue for the $3 million (£1.8 million) contract sum, plus punitive damages.

Pesci's lawyer also claims that the actor put on 30lb (14kg) in preparation for the part.

Fiore Films chief Mike Fiore told Entertainment Weekly that Pesci had pulled out of the film when original director Nick Cassavetes left the project due to scheduling conflicts.

He said: "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."

Fiore is also reportedly considering countersuing Pesci.

Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father will be directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson. It features an ensemble cast including John Travolta, Lindsay Lohan and Al Pacino.

The movie is expected to be released in 2012.