Yes, it’s been 30 years since Martin Scorsese’s beloved “Goodfellas” became an instant classic. And now it’s been a few weeks since the death of Ray Liotta, who played Henry Hill so memorably in the film.
Now I’m hearing the exciting news that “Wiseguy,” the original book that formed the basis of the “Goodfellas” story is getting its own film. Sources say director Barry Levinson would reunite with his oft-collaborator Robert DeNiro possibly reprising his role as Jimmy Conway (or who knows? maybe someone else). The screenplay is from Nicholas Pileggi, who wrote the book.
“Wiseguy” was an even fuller account of the life of Henry Hill than just the Lufthansa robbery covered in “Goodfellas.” A young actor would have to be cast as Hill, with other roles to be cast including Tommy DeSimone aka “Two Gun Tommy,” described as “a young aspiring gangster with psychopathic tendencies” who was Hill’s partner in crime in his early days.
The prospective studio for all this would be Warner Bros. where it could be among the first projects from Mike DeLuca and Pam Abdy. Producer would be Winkler Films, which made “Raging Bull.”
