Underworld figure Mick Gatto says he will not stand in the way of a planned TV series about his life created by Underbelly star Steve Bastoni
Melbourne identity Domenic 'Mick' Gatto has revealed he will not stand in the way of a proposed 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 been closely linked to the Melbourne underworld, has developed a friendship with Bastoni, 56, and has promised him he won't interfere as the project develops.
Biopic: Melbourne identity Domenic 'Mick' Gatto (pictured on March 30) has revealed he will not stand in the way of a proposed TV series about his life - at least until sees the script
Gatto said he and his family will wait until they've seen the script before they give the project the green light, but for the time being he's keeping his hands off it.
'I haven’t guided him in any way,' he said. '[Bastoni] can do whatever he wants, then show me the script… and if there’s no issue, they can do what they like.'
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Bastoni, who will also play Gatto in the series, met with the former professional heavyweight boxer in his old stomping crowd of Carlton to show him some wigs he had made for the role.
Gatto, who has an autistic grandson, has indicated he would like the series to include his involvement with the not-for-profit organisation Equal Access for Autism.
Man for the part: Underbelly actor Steve Bastoni (pictured in May 2015), who is the creative force behind the eight-part drama, recently met with Gatto, 66, to discuss the details
No details have emerged about what Bastoni plans to do with Gatto's colourful history, which has seen him linked to a number of unsolved crimes.
In 2005, Gatto was acquitted of the shooting murder of gangland hitman Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin a year earlier in Carlton on the grounds of self-defence.
Gatto's alleged involvement in organised crime has already been depicted 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-part series, set from 1995 to 2004, was a heavily fictionalised account of the notorious 'gang war' between rivals in Melbourne's underworld.
Gatto was depicted as a member of the notorious Carlton Crew, led by Alphonse Gangitano, played by Vince Colosimo.
Carlton at war: The 13-part series, set from 1995 to 2004, was a heavily fictionalised account of the notorious 'gang war' between rivals in Melbourne's underworld. Gatto was depicted as a member of the notorious Carlton Crew, led by Alphonse Gangitano, played by Vince Colosimo
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