Despite having a somewhat solid pedigree behind it, Barry Levinson’s “Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father” has been plagued with bad press that has verged on just plain weird press. The film currently has John Travolta, Al Pacino, and Kelly Preston signed on for roles (including Travolta as the elder Gotti), but it’s the announcement  from Variety that Ben Foster will play John Gotti, Jr. that is the most positive bit of buzz for the film yet. The film will chronicle the relationship between father and son, one fraught with tensions due to their very different outlooks on life, particularly a life of crime.

Foster has built himself an impressive resume of well-chosen roles over the span of his career, though he has yet to crack into the big leagues. His upcoming slate, however, should change that, as he has no less than five films currently in production, including Oren Moverman’s “Rampart” and a rumored role in Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus.” But his past work in films such as “The Messenger” and “3:10 to Yuma” prove how talented he is and that his joining the cast of “Gotti” is a huge boon for the project.

“Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father” has been dogged by wacky news reports since director Nick Cassavetes dropped out of the film in April. Most recently, Joe Pesci sued Fiore Films, the project’s production company, for $3 million. Why? Pesci claims that Fiore Films used his name to gather interest in the film without officially signing him on for it. Believing he was set for the role of Gotti enforcer, Angelo Ruggerio, Pesci gained thirty pounds. Pesci says that Fiore Films went back on their offer, though the production company now says it was Pesci who pulled out.

In other casting debacles, Lindsay Lohan was once rumored to play Victoria Gotti, with her role then changed to that of Kim Gotti, wife of Gotti, Jr. Lohan is reportedly not officially signed for the film yet, despite months of speculation around her name, and it remains to be seen if the actress will be available or insurable for the production, which is set to start shooting on January 3.

The film is also saddled with that hefty title, which was previously the equally-as-wordy “Gotti: Three Generations,” before taking on this “Shadow” bit, which still feels too long and a touch movie-of-the-week-is​h. The story of the Gotti family is inherently cinematic, rife with drama and true crime tales, so here's hoping the film gets away from bad buzz and keeps rolling with more solid choices.

Laurence Fishburne recently raised some eyebrows when he failed to renew his contract for CSI this year, after taking over as male lead from William Petersen, but now we know why the veteran actor left the popular show. As EW reports, Fishburne is set to play Perry White, editor-in-chief of Metropolis’ Daily Planet newspaper, in Zach Snyder’s upcoming take on the Superman property, “Man of Steel.” The film is already set to star Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, and Diane Lane.

The character of Perry White is a consistent and popular one in Superman history, and he’s been present in nearly every incarnation of Superman, from page to radio to screen. White is a former journalist himself, and his tough standards and ideals carry over to his managerial style. And while those are the defining characteristics of the editor, modern Superman comics have filled out his own backstory a significant amount, including a personal history with Lex Luthor. It will be interesting to see how much of that is present in Snyder’s film.

Perry White has previously been played on screen by Jackie Cooper in “Superman: The Movie” and its three sequels, Lane Smith in the television show “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” Michael McKean on “Smallville,” and Frank Langella in Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns.” This is not Fishburne’s first role in a comic book property, as he’s appeared in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (as the voice of the titular Silver Surfer) and narrated “TMNT,” but it will be his first live-action appearance.

One of the greatest singers this country has ever known, Tony Bennett, turns 85 today. But the multiple Grammy Award winner shows no signs of slowing down. He has released over 70 albums during his amazing career. His latest, “Duets II,” comes out next month and includes the last performance by the late Amy Winehouse (they sing “Body and Soul” together). Bennett also performs on this recording with artists such as Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Lady Gaga.

In the movies, Bennett’s tunes have been featured in countless films including “The Last Picture Show,” “Raging Bull,”  “Casino,” and “War of the Worlds.” He has appeared as himself in such hits as “Analyze This,” “The Scout,” and “Bruce Almighty.” But did you know that at one time, over 40 years ago, the legendary singer tried to become a movie star in his own right?

After his "Like Crazy"—a tender, heartfelt romance starring Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence—won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, the sky would appear the limit for awesomely-named director Drake Doremus. 

With Paramount recently debuting a trailer (embedded below) in anticipation of the film's October 28th release, Doremus took the time to chat with us about wrangling actors, his passion for storytelling, and what he likes to do in his down time.

First of all, I think America really wants to know, what it's like to kill a dragon with your bare hands?

Doremus: It's an incredible feeling. I highly recommend it. If you haven't done it before you have to do it. To anybody out there who's never done it before…

Well, where do you get your dragons?

Doremus: Ah, well, I order them online. You can get them on Amazon.

This is your first opportunity to really show your work to a wide audience and introduce yourself as a person and an artist. Is there anything you wanted to say as a way of introduction?

Doremus: Gosh, you know, I would say that I'm a filmmaker that really is trying to make genuine films from the heart, and if you're looking for entertainment in the form of heartfelt romance, this is the film for you.