Anthony Hopkins Signs On For Mob Biopic Gotti

The power of Cannes has brought another tidbit of casting news. The mafia flick which has been gestating for years, Gotti, now has Anthony Hopkins attached. Hopkins will join John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, both already confirmed to star. Hopkins’ role is as-yet undisclosed, though our guess is he’ll be in the running for an old school mobster. Expect him to hone his vocal skills and bust out his Italian American accent!

Gotti is based on the story of real-life mobster boss, John Gotti. Travolta has snagged the plum role, and his wife Preston will play Gotti’s wife, Victoria.  The casting announcements for the project have changed dramatically over recent years. At one time Lindsay Lohan, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci were in talks. From the film’s IMDb page, the only other actors still attached are Chazz Palminteri and Ella Bleu Travolta.

Two weeks ago the news broke that Captain America director Joe Johnston had signed on to make the project, and he was pretty excited about it, stating: “I think we’ve always been fascinated with the idea of the romantic outlaw. John Gotti could be in one instance a charismatic, kind and loving family man, and in another, deadly to his enemies.” Could we see Travolta putting the kiddies to bed before popping out for a midnight hit?

From an original idea by his son, John A. Gotti, the film will tell the tale of Gotti Jr’s desire to break away from the family business in order to establish a life outside of crime. Scripting duties are held by Leo Rossi, who previously wrote Mafioso: The Father, The Son. Sounds like he knows his gangster.

Hopkins has recently finished work on Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic, Noah. He’ll start work next on Andy Garcia’s Hemingway & Fuentes.

Gotti starts shooting this September in New York.