Ears Johnny, Again


by empire |
Published on

Recreating those ear-bashing times of Grease, John Travolta is set to star in a film that will see his dubious singing career revived. Standing Room Only - based on the life of crooner Jimmy Roselli - will have Travolta playing lead Roselli himself, as well as handling all his own singing parts. Also starring in the film will be Travolta's real-life wife Kelly Preston, playing - somewhat uninspiringly - his on-screen wife Donna. For those that don't know, Roselli was a singer known for his Frank Sinatra-style ballads and Italian language songs, who at the height of his popularity in the mid-60s regularly sold out massive concert halls. Yet numerous run-ins with the Mob prevented his career from ever blossoming like his hometown professional rival Sinatra. The Mafia demanded cuts of his club dates and record sales; when Roselli refused, they threatened to kill him. In the late '60s, Roselli ran into more trouble when he and Frank had a disagreement, at which point the Mafia intervened and made sure Roselli's records were never aired on radio. Detailing the events, Standing Room Only begins filming in April, with Psycho director Gus Van Sant attached. The film is expected to be released at the end of the year.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us