(Cover) - EN Movies - Marc Fiore, executive producer of GOTTI: In The Shadow Of My Father, has branded Joe Pesci's lawsuit "a total joke".

It was revealed yesterday that actor Joe, 68, would be filing a lawsuit against Fiore Films, the studio making the hotly anticipated movie about crime boss John Gotti and his family.

Apparently, Joe had originally been hired to portray Angelo Ruggiero, a role which required gaining 30 lbs. and would see him earn $3 million. The actor claims he was then given a lesser role and offered just $1 million.

Marc has hit back at the claims, insisting the accusations are comical.

"This lawsuit is a total joke. Nick Cassavetes (who was the director of the movie briefly) brought Joe Pesci in. When Cassavetes left to do the movie Yellow, Pesci stopped returning my phone calls," he told Radar.

"Barry Levinson was brought on board to be the director. We offered the role of Gaspipe Casso to Joe, and he turned it down. The fact is, Pesci wouldn't return Barry's calls, my calls, or our attorney's phone calls."

Marc went on to express his bafflement further. He even added that he would consider filing a countersuit against Joe.

"Joe Pesci never had a signed contract for any role in the Gotti movie, period. That is a fact. Why would Joe keep gaining weight after Cassavetes left? That is baffling to me, since that is when he stopped talking to us. I have no idea why he would file this lawsuit," said Marc.

"I haven't decided what I'm going to do, I might file a lawsuit against Pesci. I'm a figher, if Joe thinks I'm a payer, he has got the wrong guy." (C) Cover Media