Ep687: The Education of a LEGITIMATE WISEGUY: An Interview with Nicholas Celozzi

Ian talks with writer/director/producer/actor Nicholas Celozzi about two Chicago-centric films that are heading into production.

The Class stars Anthony Michael Hall and centers on a group of diverse high school kids forced to spend a Saturday together, in which they learn to break down the social barriers that divide them. No, it's not a Breakfast Club remake, and in the first half of this conversation, Celozzi talks about the real-world influences that compelled him to tell this story; how he channeled the voice of a generation that's different from his own; and what got him back into the director's chair.

Celozzi also wrote The Legitimate Wiseguy, an autobiographical drama that previous KtS Podcast guest George Gallo (Vanquish, Bad Boys) will direct this fall. The film will star Harvey Keitel, Emile Hirsch, and Ruby Rose, and will tell the story of Celozzi's relationship with mentor and Mafia heavy Anthony Spilotro (a version of whom was famously portrayed by Joe Pesci in Casino).

The filmmaker opens up about the real-life Spilotro; his rowdy days in 1980s Hollywood; and casting Harvey Keitel as his father--a famous Illinois car salesman whose TV commercials were a staple of Ian's youth!

Show Links:

• Read Variety's article about the upcoming production of The Class.

• Read The Hollywood Reporter's article announcing The Legitimate Wiseguy.

• Watch Ian’s interview with The Legitimate Wiseguy director George Gallo (for his previous film, Vanquish).

• Get your tickets to a special evening with The Class star Anthony Michael Hall on July 26th, as mentioned by Ian and Nick in the conversation!

• Subscribe to, like, and comment on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel!