Nick Cassavetes out as director of GOTTI: THREE GENERATIONS

Nick Cassavetes has dropped out as director of Fire Films' drama Gotti: Three Generations. Earlier we reported that John Travolta was set to play John Gotti in the film. According to Variety, a spokesman for the production stated that "Cassavetes had been released from his contract due to scheduling conflicts with Cassavetes commitment to indie drama Yellow."

A new director is currently being sought by producers and production remains on track to star shooting in the fall. As we reported, Joe Pesci is set to star as Angelo Ruggiero and Lindsay Lohan is in talks to play Victoria Gotti. Travolta's daughter Ella Blue also has a featured role in the film.

The movie was written by Leo Rossi and the story primarily focuses on John Gotti Sr. and John Gotti Jr. The younger Gambino crime family figure endorses the movie and actually consulted on the script. The film is reportedly a ‘tell-all’ story. Producer Marc Fiore also calls the film “the new Godfather,” saying “it’s a story about a father and a son, but the father happens to be John Gotti Sr.” 

I like Cassavetes as a director, he did an excellent job with Alpha Dog. It will be interesting to see who the producers get to helm the project now. Travolta as Gotti is a great idea I think, plus the rest of the casting sounds pretty solid. 

What are your thoughts on this news? Who should direct the film?