Al Pacino to Play Joe Paterno

Al Pacino will play Joe Paterno in an upcoming biopic of the famed Penn State football coach to be directed by Brian De Palma, Deadline reports. Paterno's career ended in scandal when it was revealed he and others were aware of allegations of molestation against assistant Jerry Sandusky, but ignored them.

Tentatively titled Happy Valley, the movie could be based on the bestselling biography Paterno by Joe Posnanski, which producer Edward R. Pressman optioned. American History X and Blow scribe Dave McKenna is reportedly making a deal to write the script.

The Shouty Al Pacino Hoo-Ha Appreciation Society

In confirming the project, Pressman said: "Happy Valley reunites the Scarface and Carlito’s Way team of De Palma and Pacino for the third time, and I can’t think of a better duo to tell this story of a complex, intensely righteous man who was brought down by his own tragic flaw."