Exclusive: Paul Ben-Victor is set to join Harvey Keitel, Emile Hirsch and Ruby Rose in the George Gallo-directed mobster drama The Legitimate Wise Guy, which tells the true story of Tony Spilotro, a feared mob enforcer from the crime syndicate known as the Chicago Outfit. Ben-Victor will step into the role of Spilotro.
Based on an original screenplay by Nicholas Celozzi and Jim McGrath, the film chronicles Spilotro, who ran the Chicago Outfit which rose to power in the 1920s under the notorious Al Capone. Spilotro overlooked the outfit’s skimming operations in Las Vegas. While there, he met a young man aspiring to make it big in Hollywood as an actor. The mob boss mentors and lures him into his criminal world.
Celozzi serves as producer for Monaco Films alongside Richard Salvatore for March on Productions. Michael Sportelli of Monaco Films and Freddy Braidy serve as executive producers.
Based on an original screenplay by Nicholas Celozzi and Jim McGrath, the film chronicles Spilotro, who ran the Chicago Outfit which rose to power in the 1920s under the notorious Al Capone. Spilotro overlooked the outfit’s skimming operations in Las Vegas. While there, he met a young man aspiring to make it big in Hollywood as an actor. The mob boss mentors and lures him into his criminal world.
Celozzi serves as producer for Monaco Films alongside Richard Salvatore for March on Productions. Michael Sportelli of Monaco Films and Freddy Braidy serve as executive producers.
- 3/1/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
He was one of the most ruthless, feared and notorious criminals ever to come out of the Chicago Outfit: Anthony ‘Tony the Ant’ Spilotro. Now, Roland Joffé and Chicagoan Nicholas Celozzi, who is the grand nephew of the late mob boss Sam Giancana and thought of Spilotro as his second father, are bringing Celozzi’s personal story with the mobster to the big screen. The film, The Legitimate Wiseguy, will be directed by Joffé, who was nominated for two Oscars for his brilliant work in the 1980s with The Mission and The Killing Fields.
The film is being described as a contemporary Bronx Tale and was scripted by Celozzi and James McGrath.
Monaco Films, founded by Celozzi and partner Michael Sportelli, will co-produce with financier/developer John Vojtech. The producers will start casting for the film’s three main lead roles — Spilotro, Celozzi and Celozzi, Sr.
Once casting is complete...
The film is being described as a contemporary Bronx Tale and was scripted by Celozzi and James McGrath.
Monaco Films, founded by Celozzi and partner Michael Sportelli, will co-produce with financier/developer John Vojtech. The producers will start casting for the film’s three main lead roles — Spilotro, Celozzi and Celozzi, Sr.
Once casting is complete...
- 1/17/2019
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
Roland Joffe will direct the independent mobster drama “The Legitimate Wiseguy,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Joffe received Academy Award nominations for best director for “The Killing Fields” and “The Mission,” which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986. He also helmed “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Forgiven,” “City of Joy,” “Time Traveller,” and “There Be Dragons.”
“The Legitimate Wiseguy” is based on the true coming-of-age story of veteran writer/producer Nicholas Celozzi, and centers on his relationship with Tony Spilotro, a mob enforcer who was the inspiration behind Joe Pesci’s character of Nicholas “Nicky” Santoro in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film “Casino.” Spilotro was murdered in 1986.
“Though Tony and I had a father-son relationship, I was playing checkers while he was playing chess,” Celozzi said. “He was always many moves ahead of me.”
Monaco Films is founded by Celozzi and partner Michael Sportelli, who will co-produce “The...
Joffe received Academy Award nominations for best director for “The Killing Fields” and “The Mission,” which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1986. He also helmed “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Forgiven,” “City of Joy,” “Time Traveller,” and “There Be Dragons.”
“The Legitimate Wiseguy” is based on the true coming-of-age story of veteran writer/producer Nicholas Celozzi, and centers on his relationship with Tony Spilotro, a mob enforcer who was the inspiration behind Joe Pesci’s character of Nicholas “Nicky” Santoro in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film “Casino.” Spilotro was murdered in 1986.
“Though Tony and I had a father-son relationship, I was playing checkers while he was playing chess,” Celozzi said. “He was always many moves ahead of me.”
Monaco Films is founded by Celozzi and partner Michael Sportelli, who will co-produce “The...
- 1/17/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
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