Harvey Keitel to Play Jewish Gangster Meyer Lansky

Harvey Keitel, who played Mickey Cohen in “Bugsy,” has signed on to play another Jewish gangster, Meyer Lansky. Written and directed by Eytan Rockaway, “Lansky” finds the titular mob boss retired and living in Miami Beach, still under investigation by the FBI for hiding millions of dollars in his criminal career. The story unfolds as he tells his story to a journalist, played by Sam Worthington.

Rockaway’s script is based in part on interviews his father, history professor Robert Rockaway, conducted with Lansky.

Also in the cast is Emory Cohen (“Brooklyn”), who appears in “The Loudest Voice, “ Showtime’s miniseries about the rise and fall of Fox News’ Roger Ailes. It premieres June 30 on Showtime.

“Lansky” begins production in August.