Al Pacino to play Joe Paterno in new film?
Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino has expressed interest in playing fallen football legend, Joe Paterno.
Hollywood star Al Pacino has reportedly expressed interest in playing the role of football legend, Joe Paterno, in a biopic about the disgraced Penn State coach's life.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the proposed film, produced by ICM Partners, is being shopped around Hollywood.
While there is no script or director yet in place, Pacino is keen to play the leading role.
The London Telegraph reported that the film would be based on the bestselling biography "Paterno," written by sportswriter Joe Posnanski, and it will not shy away from Paterno's dismissal following the child sex abuse scandal surrounding his long-time assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky.
Paterno, 85, was fired in November 2011 after Sandusky was accused of abusing several boys over a 15 year period. He was subsequently found guilty of 45 counts and is in jail awaiting sentence.
Paterno died in January of lung cancer, his legacy forever tainted by the sex scandal.
The Guardian said Posnanski's book covers Paterno's entire career, and the film is expected to follow suit.
This wouldn't be Pacino's first role as a football coach, having paced the sideline in Oliver Stone's 1999 movie, "Any Given Sunday."
As to who will play Sandusky, the jury is still out.
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