Underworld character Mick Gatto says he won’t stand in the way of a planned TV series about his life being created by Underbelly star Steve Bastoni
Melbourne resident Domenic “Mick” Gatto has revealed he won’t stand in the way of a planned TV series about his life – at least until he sees the script.
Underbelly actor Steve Bastoni, who is the creative force behind the eight-part drama, recently met with Gatto, 66, to discuss the details, reports The Herald-Sun.
Gatto, who has close ties to the Melbourne underworld, has developed a friendship with Bastoni, 56, and has promised him he will not interfere while the project unfolds.
Biopic: Melbourne identity Domenic ‘Mick’ Gatto (pictured March 30) has revealed he won’t stand in the way of a planned TV series about his life – at least until the script is seen
Gatto said he and his family would wait to see the script before greenlighting the project, but he’s staying away from it for now.
“I didn’t lead him in any way,” he said. ‘[Bastoni] can do whatever he wants, then he’ll show me the script… and if there’s no problem, they can do whatever they want.’
Bastoni, who will also play Gatto on the series, caught up with the former professional heavyweight boxer in his old stomping clique from Carlton to show him some wigs he had made for the role.
Gatto, who has an autistic grandson, has indicated that he would like his involvement with the non-profit organization Equal Access for Autism to be included in the series.
Man for the role: Underbelly actor Steve Bastoni (pictured May 2015), the creative force behind the eight-part drama, recently caught up with Gatto, 66, to discuss the details
No details have emerged as to what Bastoni intends to do with Gatto’s colorful history, which has linked him to a string of unsolved crimes.
In 2005, Gatto was acquitted of the shooting of gangland hitman Andrew “Benji” Veniamin in self-defense a year earlier in Carlton.
Gatto’s alleged involvement in organized crime has previously been profiled on Australian television.
Underworld classic: Actor Simon Westaway (pictured) played Gatto in the controversial first season of Channel Nine’s Underbelly in 2008
Actor Simon Westaway played Gatto in the controversial first season of Channel Nine crime drama Underbelly in 2008.
The 13-episode series, set from 1995 to 2004, was a heavily fictionalized account of the infamous “gang war” between rivals in Melbourne’s underworld.
Gatto was portrayed as a member of the infamous Carlton Crew, led by Alphonse Gangitano, played by Vince Colosimo.
Carlton at War: The 13-episode series, set from 1995 to 2004, was a heavily fictionalized account of the infamous “gang war” between rivals in Melbourne’s underworld. Gatto was portrayed as a member of the infamous Carlton Crew, led by Alphonse Gangitano, played by Vince Colosimo