Paul Sorvino: Bad publicity killed taxpayer-funded film deal

In this Dec. 15, 2014 file photo, actor Paul Sorvino attends the “Big Eyes” premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Sorvino is blaming unfavorable news coverage for killing a deal to distribute a movie he produced with $500,000 from a Pennsylvania county. AP

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania — “Goodfellas” actor Paul Sorvino is blaming unfavorable news coverage for killing a deal to distribute a movie he produced with $500,000 from a Pennsylvania county.

Sorvino told WILK-FM on Wednesday that negative commentary from a station host and a newspaper columnist caused trouble for “The Trouble With Cali.”

He says a Canadian distributor didn’t want to be part of the controversy surrounding the taxpayer-subsidized production.

Lackawanna County commissioners agreed to help fund the $1.3 million film in 2006.

It was written by Sorvino’s daughter Amanda and co-starred his Oscar-winning daughter Mira.

Sorvino says he’s upset the movie languished after debuting at a 2012 film festival.

He says he’d repay taxpayers if he had the money.