Troubled Lohan's Gotti film role now in doubt

LINDSAY LOHAN's role in a film about crime boss John Gotti is in doubt.

Lohan's casting as Kim Gotti, the wife of John Gotti Jr, was announced in May.

But Steve Honig, a spokesman for both Fiore Films and Lohan said that "the producers of the film and Lindsay's representation have not yet worked out an agreement for her to appear in the movie. At this point, we cannot provide a definitive answer either way.

"Fiore is still very much in talks with Lindsay Lohan to play the role of Kim Gotti."

MACHETE

Lohan (25), whose career has been derailed by repeated trips to jail and rehab since 2007, has not had a movie role since the low-budget 2010 release Machete.

The Gotti film, because of its high profile and Lohan's ongoing recovery, was thought to be a positive step in her return to Hollywood's A-list. Producers declined to comment on the apparent stumbling block. But it follows a change of director from Nick Cassavetes to Barry Levinson, and a lawsuit brought by actor Joe Pesci last week who claimed his part had been changed and his pay cut.

Lohan's legal woes -- she remains on probation for a January jewellery theft and has still to complete community service -- are not thought to be an issue.

Actor Ben Foster has landed the lead role in the upcoming movie.

Foster (29), best known for roles in The Messenger and 3:10 To Yuma, will play John Gotti Jr opposite John Travolta, who has already been cast as the late head of New York's powerful Gambino family, John Gotti.

Pre-production on Gotti: In The Shadow Of My Father starts in September and shooting is due to start in January.

Pesci's role was also undetermined following his lawsuit, which producers have said has "no merit".

Levinson described Foster as "one of the few young actors who can literary transform himself from role to role, from light comedy to a deadly gunslinger.

TEFLON

"I think he can bring something very memorable to the role of Gotti Jr."

Fiore Films acquired from John Gotti Jr. the rights to the story of his life with his father in what is the first deal between a Gotti family member and a major movie producer.

The senior John Gotti was known as the "Teflon Don" for his ability to evade conviction. But he died of cancer in 2002 while serving a life sentence.

hnews@herald.ie