Justin Chon, star, director and writer, known for 2014’s Revenge of the Green Dragons, 2017’s Gook and 2021’s Blue Bayou, is back in director’s chair for Tommy Karate, a factual thriller starring Paul Walter Hauser (The Luckiest Man in America) and Pete Davidson (The Suicide Squad), who is also credited as co-writer, along with Chon.
Based on Philip Carlo’s true crime novel The Butcher: Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath, the film follows DEA Agent Jim Hunt’s (Hauser) pursuit and capture of notorious mobster and serial killer Tommy “The Karate Guy” Pitera (Davidson), who was suspected of 60 murders and known for his deadly karate skills.
Tommy Karate also stars Camila Mendes (Masters of the Universe), Francesca Xuereb (Ted TV series), Simon Rex (Blink Twice) and Louis Cancelmi (The Irishman).
🔥 Footnote: Thomas Pitera was a real life mob enforcer better known as “Tommy Karate,” a nickname earned for his martial arts skills. Inspired by Bruce Lee in The Green Hornet and Marlowe, Pitera began training at a young age. After winning a kumite competition in Sheepshead Bay, he spent 27 months in Tokyo studying Ko ryu Ninjutsu under Shihan Hiroshi Masumi. Upon returning to Brooklyn, Pitera joined the Bonanno crime family, eventually becoming a made man. He was suspected of involvement in numerous murders, with estimates as high as 60. Convicted of federal racketeering and murder, Pitera was sentenced to life in prison and remains incarcerated at USP Big Sandy in Kentucky.
We’ll keep you updated on Tommy Karate, as we learn more. Until then, check out the first photo of Pete Davidson as Thomas Pitera below (via Parade), followed by a video by Salvatore “Sammy The Bull” Gravano, which explores more about Pitera:
