Victor Gojcaj's life took an extraordinary turn when renowned film director Tony Scott, in search of authentic real-life criminals to mentor actors for his movie The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, teamed up with former D.E.A. head agent Don Ferrarone. Ferrarone, possessing extensive knowledge of past and present criminal cases, meticulously combed through mug shots to identify individuals worthy of consideration. After conducting thorough research, he brought Victor Gojcaj to Scott's attention.
At just 24 years old, Victor had already ascended to a position of authority within the criminal underworld, commanding his own crew. Scott was astonished by Victor's remarkable rise and was impressed by his potential as an actor. The director was so taken with Victor that he offered him the role of Bashkin, also known as "Mr. Grey," the most aggressive of the hijackers, on the condition that Victor completely abandon his criminal past.
However, the producers were skeptical about hiring a former criminal for a major motion picture and advised Scott to find a professional actor instead. Undeterred, Scott continued to advocate for Victor, and after months of persistence, he finally convinced the producers that Victor was the ideal choice for the role.
Victor successfully completed filming and impressed audiences alongside John Travolta, bringing a genuine presence to the movie.
