Joe Pesci suing Gotti filmmakers

The Oscar-winning actor filed a lawsuit yesterday alleging he agreed an oral contract of $3 million to portray Anglo Ruggiero - for which he put on 30lbs - but after initially promoting the project alongside co-stars John Travolta and Al Pacino, he claims producers Fiore Films instead asked him to play the smaller role of Anthony 'Gaspipe' Casso with a pay deal of just $1 million.The lawsuit states: "Defendant has no intention ofpaying Pesci $3 million or having him portray Ruggiero in the film. Ratherplaintiff secretly planned to use Pesci's name and likeness to promote the filmand then to later concoct some pretext for terminating the contract so as toavoid paying plaintiff anything for the substantial publicity and 'buzz' thatwas generated."However, Fiore Films CEO Mark Fiore insists Joewalked away from the project before any deal was completed and claims he is evenconsidering counter-suing as the actor never signed any contract to appear inthe film.He told E! News "He's got nothing in writing and I guess heis looking for publicity to be honest with you."He certainly doesn'thave a contract from us. We were moving forward. We had come to anunderstanding."According to Mark, Joe was brought in to the film byNick Cassavetes, but after the filmmaker left the project, the actor said he didnot want to finalise a deal until a replacement director was onboard.He added: "We told him April 28 that if that is their stance,then we have to pull the offer. It's all documented."The executiveis also perplexed by Joe's claims he piled on the pounds in preparation for theoriginal role.He said: "I don't know why he would gain 30pounds."I don't know who told him to gain 30 pounds. It certainlywasn't me. Why would you gain 30 pounds when you have on your manager's desk onApril 28 that we pulled the offer, why would you continue to gain weight?Honestly that doesn't seem very rational."'Gotti: In the Shadow ofMy Father' is scheduled to begin production on January 3.Source: Bang Showbiz