The producer of "Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father" has lashed out at Joe Pesci, claiming he's a has-been who is desperately seeking attention by trying to force himself into the movie.

The flick -- which will star John Travolta -- is now the basis of a suit filed by Pesci, who claims he had an iron-clad, $3 million deal to play the role of Angelo Ruggiero, Gotti's close friend and enforcer. In fact, Pesci says the deal was so firm, he actually gained 30 pounds for the role, only to be 86'd from the film.

As we previously reported, Pesci has sued Fiore Films, and now the movie company is fighting back in its answer to the lawsuit, saying, "It has been over 20 years since Mr. Pesci has been able to gather the attention he has by merely interjecting his role in this film." 

Fiore claims it never had a deal with Joe ... there were discussions but no commitment. Fiore says sadly, "[Pesci] desperately wants to be part of this film project."

The mob has ways of dealing with these disputes, right?

Joe Pesci is suing the producers of  "Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father," claiming his deal was so iron-clad, he gained 30 pounds for his role, only to be told he wasn't wanted anymore.

In the lawsuit, Pesci claims reps from Fiore Films offered him the critical role of Angelo Ruggiero, Gotti's close friend and enforcer. Pesci says he made a deal for $3 million.
But Pesci says after he was lured into making public statements about how happy he was to appear in the movie -- which stars John Travolta as John Gotti, Jr. -- the producers pulled the deal, claiming Pesci breached the deal by trying to back out.
Pesci claims he was offered a lesser role -- playing Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso -- for the lesser fee of $1 mil.
But this is the best part. Pesci's lawyer claims his client relied on the contract by assuming the character of Ruggiero in every respect: "[Pesci] has since ended his very strict and healthy diet, and has so far gained approximately 30 pounds in anticipation of playing Ruggiero, who was well known for his heavy and stocky build."
Pesci is suing for $3 million minimum, as well as punitive damages.
Producers tell us they are unaware of the lawsuit.

Getting allegedly choked out by her ex-boyfriend was apparently all it took to send Angie Everhart back into the stubby arms of former fiance Joe Pesci.

How he scored a mega-hot chick like Angie remains a mystery.

UPDATE: Sources close to the situation tell us that EverPesc have been back on for about a month.

She barely sees her own kids, but Britney Spears had someone else's shouting at the paparazzi as she went into Bally Total Fitness.

Also in L.A.: Simon Cowell said "God Bless You" more than the Pope, Alessandra Ambrosio could barely move on Robertson, Paris went out with yet another Hilton brother, Joe Pesci hooked back up with DUI hottie Angie Everhart and David Hernandez said he'd like Paula Abdul to have his babies.

In NY: "Gossip Girl" guy Penn Badgley and Cynthia Nixon ... yeah, not much was going on there.

Joe Pesci's made a living out of roughing people up in movies -- and he isn't much different in real life.


Pesci went Tommy DeVito on TMZ's cameraman last night, grabbing the photog by the neck outside Ago, tapping his head against Pesci's car and telling him "Why would you ask a stupid f**king question like that?"

Word to the wise -- never ask Pesci about "Home Alone."