Nick Cassavetes drops out of directing Gotti film

[April 20, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Nick Cassavetes has dropped out of directing a planned biopic of John Gotti.

Executive producer Marc Fiore said Tuesday that Cassavetes had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict. "Gotti: Three Generations" is scheduled to begin production in the fall.

The film is to star John Travolta as the leader of the legendary Gambino crime family. Joe Pesci is to play Gotti associate Angelo Ruggiero.

The famous mobster died in prison in 2002. His son, 47-year-old John "Junior" Gotti, sold film rights to Fiore last year for an undisclosed amount.

[Associated Press]

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