Al Pacino To Play Joe Paterno In Penn State Scandal Film [Rumor]

We thought that maybe it’d be a few years before a movie was made about Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, and the Penn State sex scandal that destroyed lives and cast a long shadow over the legendary career of Joe Pa. Reports are saying that a film project about Paterno’s life and fall from grace is actually currently in the works, with Al Pacino sitting at the top of the list to play the once-lauded Penn State coach.

Deadline has the exclusive: Next week, ICM Partners are shopping the film project that is reportedly based on fallen coach Joe Paterno, with Al Pacino attached to the role. The film is said to be based on Joe Posnanski’s biography Paterno, which is enjoying the top spot on The New York Times Bestseller List for its second week. Rick Nicita, Pacino’s manager, is reportedly to produce the film.

We’re all familiar by now with the story that ended with Sandusky being found guilty of 45 counts of sexual abuse against young boys and likely to spend the rest of his life in prison. Joe Paterno’s part in the scandal and its subsequent cover-up is still a hotly-debated and contentious issue, and unfortunately, the coach died before he could testify in a court of law or even speak to the media regarding his role. Paterno also didn’t live to see his record stripped of the wins dating back to the scandal or to preserve his legacy as it slowly fell apart.

It is currently unknown when or how the film will be released, be it cable TV, premium, or a nationwide theatrical release.

Pacino has played a football coach before in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday.

What do you think? Would you be interested in a Penn State film? Is there anyone better to play Joe Paterno than Al Pacino? Sound off!