John Travolta's 'Gotti' biopic has been pulled a week before release and this is the reason why

The gangster biopic was set to be released by Lionsgate next week

A biopic based on the life of mobster John Gotti starring John Travolta in the lead role has been dropped just over a week before its release.

Lionsgate has parted ways with the drama centred on the Italian-American gangster with a source revealing to The Tracking Board that the film has now been sold back to its producers. The film is expected to be pushed back to 2018 as a consequence.

The news comes after a fraught development period lasting over two years which saw several actors - including Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Anthony Hopkins - attached to the lead role. It also arrives a month after Travolta was accused of sexual battery by a 21-year-old male.

However, Deadline has shone a light on the true reason behind Lionsgate's decision to part ways with the project. It was based on the fact that the film - reportedly bought with a buy-back clause in the distribution agreement - was set to be fanned out by the entertainment company's far smaller specialty division.

The producers, however, wanted a wider release and - following an outside investor's offer to release the film wider in May 2018 - Lionsgate accepted, a decision based on a generosity rarely displayed in the industry today.

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