Al Pacino will soon be speaking many a true word in jest.
The Pirates of Somalia actor will be taking on another Shakespeare role following his turn in 2004’s The Merchant of Venice.
Pacino has signed on to star in a new film adaptation of King Lear, which tells the story of the British king who gradually descends into madness.
Michael Radford, who directed the 78 year old in The Merchant of Venice, will helm the project, which is expected to begin filming in the United Kingdom next fall.
Radford told The Observer, “Lear is the one that everyone aims for. Al has been toying with the idea for a long time. There’s a difference between Shylock, who’s only in five scenes, and Lear, who is in every scene, pretty much. It’s enormous. I think [Pacino] would like to have that kind of kudos because he’s a terrific actor.”
“Michael and Al are going to stick to the original poetry,” said the producer of the film, Barry Navidi. “But a lot is to do with the delivery and the visuals. How Michael combines it and makes it more accessible, it becomes naturalistic rather than forced.”
Well, nothing can come of nothing.
