In perhaps the greatest/worst casting decision this year, HBO Films has announced that Al Pacino will be playing super-producer Phil Spector in an upcoming movie adaption of his life. The film is without a title, as it's in its early stages, but accomplished screenwriter David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Untouchables) will write and direct, with Rain Man producer Barry Levinson overseeing.
According to the New York Times [via The Playlist], Pacino was drawn to the role because of Spector's fascinating life. Pacino's agent, John L. Burnham, said, "He just saw a very interesting character to play, and he likes the sensibility of David and Barry."
From producing some of the greatest pop songs in the '60s and '70s to being convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2009, there is a lot of great source material to draw from, but it's unclear which period of Spector's life the film will focus on. It's also unclear when the film will actually be released.
We can't help but wonder if the real Phil Spector gets HBO in his prison cell.
According to the New York Times [via The Playlist], Pacino was drawn to the role because of Spector's fascinating life. Pacino's agent, John L. Burnham, said, "He just saw a very interesting character to play, and he likes the sensibility of David and Barry."
From producing some of the greatest pop songs in the '60s and '70s to being convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2009, there is a lot of great source material to draw from, but it's unclear which period of Spector's life the film will focus on. It's also unclear when the film will actually be released.
We can't help but wonder if the real Phil Spector gets HBO in his prison cell.