The Role That Made Joe Pesci Gain 30 Pounds and File a Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit

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The 2018 film Gotti, a biography about the infamous mob boss, is remembered as one of the biggest movie flops in recent years. However, the problems with the film started long before it was released.

Initially, Gotti seemed promising, especially because it was intended to bring together some of the most celebrated actors from classic gangster films. Joe Pesci, famous for his roles in Goodfellas and Casino, was originally cast to play a key enforcer within the Gambino crime family, giving him a significant supporting role.

At one point, Al Pacino was also set to star as John Gotti himself. This would have been the first time Pesci and Pacino appeared in a film together – a pairing fans had wanted to see for years. Ultimately, they didn’t share the screen until Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman came out in 2019.

Despite a promising start, the film’s production soon faced money problems and disagreements about the creative direction. Joe Pesci, after a public announcement at the Cannes Film Festival that seemed to confirm his agreement, learned that Fiore Films had significantly cut both his role in the movie and his salary.

The actor was reportedly very angry because he had already made significant preparations for the role, gaining 30 pounds to resemble the character. He eventually sued the producers for $3 million, claiming they had misled him and that he’d turned down other profitable work based on their assurances about the project.

I remember following the story of Gotti for years, and it was really frustrating to watch. The producers kept saying they hadn’t made Joe Pesci a firm offer, but everyone in the industry suspected they were just using his name to get funding, with no intention of actually paying him what he was owed. That seemed to be the start of a long series of problems. Other actors, like Ben Foster and Lindsay Lohan, started backing away from the project, and the film just kept getting delayed. Eventually, John Travolta ended up playing Gotti, but the movie was already carrying so much baggage. It was almost comical how desperate the marketing team became – they actually tried to argue with critics on social media! It just made the film even more of a joke, honestly. It’s a shame, but Gotti became known for all the wrong reasons.

I was so relieved when I heard Joe Pesci stepped away from that one project – it really paved the way for him to take on roles that showcased his incredible talent. And honestly, seeing him come out of semi-retirement to work with De Niro and Pacino again on The Irishman was amazing! That movie was fantastic and he absolutely deserved all the praise – and that Oscar nomination! It was great to see him back doing what he does best.

After a successful return to acting, the 83-year-old actor has been careful about the roles he takes, generally working with friends. In 2023, he appeared in the comedy series Bupkis, playing the main character’s grandfather. The part let him use both his well-known dramatic skills and a lighter, comedic side.

Pesci recently starred in the independent film Day of the Fight, which debuted in late 2025. Directed by Jack Huston and also featuring Michael C. Pitt, the movie showcases Pesci in a touching role as a father dealing with a challenging relationship with his son, who is a boxer.

Even though people often hear he’s about to retire, Joe Pesci still works in entertainment. He often surprises fans with appearances in commercials or by releasing jazz music.

You know, it’s really cool seeing Scorsese’s masterpieces – films like Casino and Goodfellas – popping up on all the big streaming services now. It means a whole new audience gets to discover what I’ve loved about his work for years – that energy and how captivating he is on screen. It’s awesome that his films are getting a fresh life!

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2026-03-04 14:44