Joe Pesci, known for his unforgettable roles in mob films, was once set to play Angelo Ruggiero in the crime drama Gotti, a film about notorious gangster John Gotti. The opportunity, however, unraveled in a legal battle after Pesci gained 30 pounds for the role, only to have his part and salary dramatically reduced, prompting him to sue the producers for $3 million. This conflict unfolded during the troubled production of Gotti, which took place in the years leading up to its 2018 debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Promised Role and Initial Casting Hopes
Gotti began with strong potential, especially with producers intending to cast Al Pacino as John Gotti, which could have paired him with Pesci as co-stars. Given Pesci’s iconic performances in Goodfellas, Casino, and My Cousin Vinny, the role of Angelo Ruggiero seemed like a natural fit, offering him a rare chance to take a central supporting role. Early in the film’s development, key directors such as Nick Cassavetes, Joe Johnston, and Barry Levinson were attached to the project, adding to initial enthusiasm.
During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, Fiore Films, the production company, appeared to confirm Pesci’s involvement, further solidifying his belief that the deal was finalized. Despite this, the situation quickly changed behind the scenes.
Dispute Over Contract and Weight Gain for Role
Pesci had committed fully to the role, even gaining 30 pounds to portray Ruggiero accurately. He declined another offer to play the less prominent character Anthony Casso for $1 million, believing he had secured the more significant part. However, shortly afterward, Pesci discovered that Fiore Films cut both his role and salary, and the company later claimed it had never formally extended an offer. Feeling deceived, Pesci filed a $3 million lawsuit against Fiore for misleading him during negotiations and exploiting his fame without intention to fulfill agreed terms.
Pesci’s frustration was a central issue in Gotti’s prolonged and troubled production. Similar disputes arose with other potential cast members, including Ben Foster and Lindsay Lohan, further stalling the project in development limbo until 2015. Eventually, Kevin Connolly signed on as director, and Lionsgate took over domestic distribution.
John Travolta Takes the Lead as Gotti
By the time filming was underway, John Travolta had replaced Al Pacino in the lead role of John Gotti. Once a leading Hollywood star, Travolta’s career had noticeably declined since Battlefield Earth in 2000, and he had mostly been involved in low-profile direct-to-video thrillers in recent years. Although Pruitt Taylor Vince was cast as Angelo Ruggiero, his performance could not save the film from heavy criticism. Gotti was widely panned upon its premiere at Cannes in 2018, marking it as one of the most poorly received crime dramas centered on the Gambino crime family.
The Controversy Surrounding Gotti’s Release
One of the film’s more unusual aspects was its aggressive marketing campaign, which actively targeted critics who issued negative reviews, accusing them of bias online. This contentious promotional tactic sparked additional backlash. Fortunately for Pesci, he was not involved in the film’s release turmoil, having stepped away following his lawsuit and contract issues.
Pesci’s Return in a Critically Acclaimed Mob Film
After the Gotti ordeal, Joe Pesci returned to acting in a more celebrated capacity. He reunited with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the critically lauded 2019 film The Irishman, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This comeback underscored Pesci’s lasting impact on the gangster genre and helped restore his cinematic reputation after the disappointments surrounding Gotti.
“My response being to sue Fiore for $3m, claiming that he had been duped and lied to.” – Joe Pesci
“Pesci’s anger is understandable, given that it was obvious that Fiore was attempting to get him involved in the film in order to utilise his fame, even if there was no intention of paying him his full salary.” – Industry Analyst
