Ridham Vashishth
Al Pacino, an illustrious name that instantly conjures visions of cinematic brilliance, has graced Hollywood with his unparalleled talent for over six decades. Pacino’s ascent from New York’s hustle to Hollywood’s shimmer is a story of legend emerging from the vibrant streets of Manhattan, New York City. From his masterful portrayal of Michael Corleone in ‘The Godfather’ film series to the power-hungry Tony Montana in ‘Scarface,’ Pacino’s versatility is, simply put, unmatched. Beyond entertaining, his performances have become iconic, gifting him a coveted Academy Award, multiple Tony honors, and the prestigious National Medal of Arts.
Whether stepping into the shoes of a gangster, a relentless detective, or a compelling lawyer, Pacino’s dedication to his characters remains awe-inspiring, captivating audiences globally. As we reminisce about his treasure trove of cinematic gems, anticipation naturally builds regarding his forthcoming endeavors. So, for those spellbound by Pacino’s artistry and eagerly anticipating his next cinematic venture, here’s a sneak peek into the future projects of the venerable actor!
1. Billy Knight (TBA)
‘Billy Knight’ is an upcoming indie drama film that will mark the feature film debut of writer-director Alec Griffen Roth. The film is set to feature the legendary Al Pacino, alongside ‘Stranger Things’ star Charlie Heaton and Diana Silvers, known for her performances in ‘Space Force’ and ‘Booksmart.’ Also co-starring are Patrick Schwarzenegger, Angela Sarafyan, and Sophia Bui. The plot revolves around grad school students Alex and Emily, who aspire to be filmmakers. Alex is also dealing with the grief of losing his father, a failed screenwriter. The only legacy his father left behind is a handkerchief with the name “Billy Knight” embroidered on it and a box of unfinished scripts. This leads Alex on a magical Hollywood adventure to uncover the mystery of “Billy Knight,” blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
With his vast array of iconic roles, Pacino takes on yet another intriguing character in this film. While the exact nature of Pacino’s role hasn’t been revealed, the inclusion of such a heavyweight actor promises a compelling performance. The film is described as a “love letter to cinema,” blending fantasy with the rich history of filmmaking. It’s not just a tale about the world of cinema but also delves into the introspective journey of a young man searching for his voice and understanding life’s priorities. As of now, the film is in the post-production stage, and a release date is awaited.
2. Hand of Dante (TBA)
‘Hand of Dante,’ or ‘In the Hand of Dante,’ is a crime mystery drama written and directed by Julian Schnabel based on the 2002 novel ‘In the Hand of Dante’ by Nick Tosches. The story of the film, according to the book, is set across two timelines. In one timeline (the present), we see a scholar named Nick who is asked to authenticate what seems to be the original manuscript of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” by a mob boss. However, overwhelmed by his temptation, Nick steals the manuscript, escapes with the love of his life, Giulietta, and makes his way from the dark depths of New York’s underbelly to their paradise. In the other timeline (14th century), we see Dante, who escapes to Sicily from the shackles of his loveless marriage and creates his masterpiece, honoring Beatrice, his lost love. How the two men lose themselves in chasing what they love more than anything else and how both are thus connected is what we will see in the film.
Along with Pacino, the star-studded cast includes Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Gerard Butler. We also have Italian actors, including Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, and Claudio Santamaria. Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer on the project. Surprisingly, he will also be in the film, playing Dante Alighieri’s elderly mentor. It is currently in its post-production stage, and we have yet to get a release date.
3. Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness (TBA)
‘Modi’ is a biographical film directed by Johnny Depp, focusing on the life of the renowned Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. The film, adapted from Dennis McIntyre’s play titled ‘Modigliani,’ delves into two tumultuous days in Modigliani’s life during World War I in Paris. Known to his friends as Modi, he is depicted living a bohemian lifestyle, evading the police, and contemplating leaving his art career behind. However, his life takes a turn when he encounters an art collector named Maurice Gangnat, who was famously painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1916.
Al Pacino’s character, Gangnat, can be the catalyst that changes Modigliani’s life. Alongside Pacino, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Riccardo Scamarcio, who takes on the role of Modigliani, and Pierre Niney, who will be portraying fellow artist Maurice Utrillo. The narrative captures the essence of Modigliani’s struggles in his interactions with fellow bohemians like Maurice Utrillo, Chaim Soutine, and muse Beatrice Hastings.
The anticipation surrounding ‘Modi’ is palpable, especially given the collaboration of cinematic giants like Pacino and Depp. It was released in Italy on November 21, 2024, and will be released in the US in 2025. You can watch the trailer here.
4. Killing Castro (TBA)
Currently in its post-production stage, ‘Killing Castro’ is a historical drama helmed by Eif Rivera based on a script by Thomas DeGrezia, Leon Hendrix, and Colin Bateman. We will see the film from the perspective of a rookie FBI agent (undercover) who has to keep Fidel Castro safe after the latter comes to the US in 1960 for his first speech at the United Nations General Assembly after winning the Cuban revolution. Fidel is invited by Malcolm X to stay at a hotel but upon facing hostility there, he arrives at the famed Hotel Theresa in Harlem. The agent, whose original mission was to investigate Malcolm X, is thus told to keep Fidel from being killed by the Italian mafia and/or the CIA. How the agent tries to pull off an objective of such a magnitude is what the film will entail.
Other than Pacino, the cast includes Alexander Ludwig, Titus Welliver, KiKi Layne, Logan Marshall-Green, Ron Livingston, Xolo Maridueña, and Nicole Beharie, although we do not yet know who’s playing who. Further details are awaited.
5. The Ritual (TBA)
Directed by David Midell based on a script by Midell and Enrico Natale, ‘The Ritual’ will be a true-story-based horror film from the house of Andrew Stevens Entertainment and Cinemachineshop. In it, Pacino and Dan Stevens will play the role of priests; each conflicted with himself in his own way. Pacino’s character tries to reckon with his troubled past, while Stevens’ character finds himself questioning his faith. However, they are required to put aside their differences and save a young woman who is possessed by carrying out not one but a series of exorcisms. ‘The Ritual’ is based on the case of the decades-spanning demonic possession and the subsequent exorcisms of Emma Schmidt, an American woman born in 1882. The rest of the film’s cast includes Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, Ritchie Montgomery, Maria Camila Giraldo, and Courtney Rae Allen. Currently in its post-production phase, the film will be released in Turkey on April 18, 2025, and is yet to receive a US release date.
6. Lear Rex (TBA)
Written and directed by Bernard Rose, ‘Lear Rex’ is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragic play ‘King Lear.’ Pacino will play the role of King Lear, who divides his land among his two elder daughters, Regan and Cordelia, played by Rachel Brosnahan and Ariana DeBose, rejecting his youngest, Goneril, played by Jessica Chastain. Unfortunately, the elder sisters strip Lear of his power, take control of the kingdom, and abandon him to a wasteland. The rest of the cast includes Peter Dinklage, Ted Levine, Chris Messina, Danny Huston, Stephen Dorff, and LaKeith Stanfield. Currently in its post-production stage, ‘Lear Rex’ is yet to get a release date.
7. Easy’s Waltz (TBA)
‘Easy’s Waltz’ is an upcoming drama film directed by ‘True Detective’ creator Nic Pizzolatto, marking his feature film directorial debut. Pizzolatto is also the writer of the screenplay, with Margot Hand serving as the producer. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Las Vegas, the film is described as a blend of ‘Swingers’ and ‘A Star is Born.’ The narrative follows a down-on-his-luck comedian-crooner as he navigates the challenges of modern Las Vegas, interacting with old-school Vegas personalities who have graced the Strip for years.
Vince Vaughn takes on the role of the struggling comedian while the legendary Pacino, Michelle Monaghan, Shane Gillis, and ‘Red Rocket’ star Simon Rex complete the main cast. Specific details about Pacino’s character haven’t been revealed yet. The release date of the film has not been disclosed. The film is currently in its post-production stage, and details, including production and a potential release year, are highly anticipated.
8. Captivated (TBA)
Currently in its pre-production stage, ‘Captivated’ is yet another crime thriller in which Pacino will star as a mob boss. Directed by Dito Montiel and based on a script by Michael Mammoliti and Robin Shushan, the film also stars Katie Holmes and Toby Kebbell. Kebbell will play the younger version of Calabrian mafia boss Saro Mammoliti, while Pacino will play the older version. The film is based on the true events that occurred in 1973 and follows Saro, who kidnapped the grandson of Jean Paul Getty, one of the world’s richest men at the time. However, Saro eventually compromises his organization after falling for the kidnapped kid’s mother while negotiating ransoms. Mammoliti, who penned the script, is the nephew of Saro and had been working on the script for a long time, one that dealt with his uncle falling for a woman named Abigail Harris, the victim’s mother. Holmes will play Harris’ counterpart in the film (named Gail Getty). Principal photography is expected to begin in winter 2024 in Italy. Further details about the release are awaited.
9. Assassination (TBA)
‘Assassination’ is an upcoming thriller film directed by Barry Levinson. The film delves into the fateful murder of former US President John F. Kennedy, reimagining his death as a hit ordered by Chicago mob kingpin Sam Giancana. This audacious plot twist suggests that the assassination was payback for JFK’s attempts to undermine the mob, especially after they had played a significant role in getting him elected. This intriguing perspective on the assassination is further intensified by the fact that the script’s co-writer, Nicholas Celozzi, is Giancana’s grandnephew, adding a layer of personal connection to the narrative.
Pacino will play Tony Accardo, a senior mob boss. He is joined by a stellar cast that includes John Travolta, Shia LaBeouf, Viggo Mortensen, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Courtney Love. New additions are Brendan Fraser, Bryan Cranston, and Jessica Chastain, who will play Dorothy Kilgallen, the first female crime reporter in America. Given the magnitude of the project and the talent involved, audiences can expect a riveting cinematic experience that delves deep into one of America’s most debated historical events. This film is currently in its pre-production stage, and further details about its filming and potential year of release are awaited.
Read More: Is Scarface a True Story?
