Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

John Travolta To Play "Teflon Don," Junior Gotti Not So Familiar With James Franco


By

Ben Yakas

Published Mar 31, 2011

Modified Mar 31, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Ben Yakas

Published Mar 31, 2011

Modified Mar 31, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

John Travolta has officially signed on to star as John "Teflon Don" Gotti Sr. in the upcoming indie film Gotti: Three Generations (which was better than the working title: Gabagool Lasagna Bang Bang). The movie has been the passion project of John "Deadlock Don" Gotti Jr. ever since he escaped four hung jurys, retired from the mob, and realized he needed something to do besides being a professional defendant. Now the question remains: who will play him?

The movie, which will be helmed by The Notebook director Nick Cassavantes, was imagined by Gotti Jr. as a "father-son" story, rather than a straight-forward mafia movie. Among the names which have been thrown around to play the Deadlock Don is none other than Professor Emeritus of James Franco Sciences, James Franco! But it seems Gotti Jr. isn't well-read on our favorite documentarian-intellectual-artfart-Oscar host: "To be honest, I'm not familiar with James Franco or his work," Gotti told the Post, adding that he had stepped back a bit from the project to let the producers and director move it forward. We hope he doesn't get freaked out that an actor who has starred in several prominent gay roles could play him...and do so fabulously.

Tagged

deadlock don

gambino

james franco

john gotti

john gotti jr

john travolta

movies

nick cassavetes

teflon don


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay

Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET


A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Arts & Entertainment

A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.

By

Hannah Frishberg


A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history

By

Sonia Rao

The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.

By

Sonia Rao

Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.

By

Sonia Rao


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .