Lionsgate has dropped a John Gotti biopic starring John Travolta just 10 days before the movie’s scheduled released date.
The surprising eleventh hour move was reported on Tuesday, with several sources confirming the studio has cut ties with the project.
Lionsgate has reportedly sold Gotti back to its production company Emmett/Furla/Oasis and they are expected to be seeking new distribution.
Dropped: Lionsgate has cut its ties to Gotti, starring John Travolta, just 10 days before the movie’s scheduled release date of December 15
However, it’s highly unlikely a new distributor will be found in time for the slated release date of December 15 and it will no doubt get pushed to 2018.
Lionsgate has not given any explanation for the sale which took place on Tuesday.
The crime drama covers the life of the infamous leader of the Gambino crime family and was directed by Entourage’s Kevin Connolly.
It also stars Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston who play’s the crime boss’ wife Victoria Gotti.
Cutting ties: The studio has sold the John Gotti biopic back to production company Emmett/Furla/Oasis who will seek new distribution
Working together: Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston, also stars in the flick as Gotti’s wife Victoria
Lionsgate has not given an explanation for the last minute move
Production started in July 2016 and has been plagued by delays and false starts.
A number of other actors have been connected to the project throughout its development including Al Pacino, Lindsay Lohan, and Anthony Hopkins.
Talking to EW about the film, Connolly said previously: ‘There are nice cars and fancy suits in the movie, but we’re also showing where all that eventually leads,
‘HBO made a Gotti movie in 1996, but his death, which was horrible, hasn’t been covered too much. That’s a different angle that we’re going to explore.
Mafia leader Gotti was brought to trial multiple times throughout the 1980s, only to be acquitted.
Travolta, 63, plays Gotti in multiple stages of his life, including when he finally went to prison in 1992.
Gotti died of throat cancer, while still incarcerated, in 2002.
Travolta, 63, plays Gotti in multiple stages of his life, including when he finally went to prison in 1992
The crime drama covers the life of the infamous leader of the Gambino crime family and was directed by Entourage’s Kevin Connolly