Al Pacino: Still a Star without a Hollywood Star
As Al Pacino sits in the plush surroundings of a Beverly Hills hotel, it seems he finds it more baffling than alarming that despite a career spanning over five decades, one accolade eludes him: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Oh yeah. Sure,” he chuckles when asked if he wants one. The same man who lit up the silver screen in *The Godfather* and *Scarface* is still dreaming of Hollywood stardom at the ripe age of 84. It’s a little like Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream—only that dream includes more mobsters, slightly fewer fairies, and an enormous amount of cigar smoke.
Pushing 85, Pacino has recently turned introspective, crafting his memoir titled *Sonny Boy*. Interestingly, that title refers to a rather fond nickname from his mother, a nickname that loses its cool factor as it echoes around a hotel room, doesn’t it? We’re talking about the man who’s had people clamoring for him to appear in every high-stakes production imaginable, yet here he is—reflecting on fatherhood! He became a father for the fourth time last year and explained, “I want to be around for this child. And I hope I am.” A heartfelt sentiment, though admittedly less menacing than “Make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
The Godfather and Its Legacy
It’s astounding to think that it’s been over 50 years since Pacino first donned the role of Michael Corleone in *The Godfather*. A film so iconic, even your grandmother’s knitting group quotes it. Pacino recounted a juicy tidbit from those early days: he almost got fired! Imagine—a world where Pacino isn’t Michael Corleone! “When your director talks to you and says, ‘You know, I had a lot of faith in you. What’s happening? You’re not delivering.’ You start to feel, I don’t think I’m wanted here.” Spoiler alert: he certainly picked up his game after that conversation.
And how did he turn it around? Oh, just a little scene where he drops the hammer on a mob boss while simultaneously raising the stakes for his career. “Yeah, sure. Why not?” he laughs, contemplating who could have replaced him. Bob De Niro, perhaps? One can only imagine that alternate universe where De Niro’s filming wedding scenes and musicals instead of stuffing Hawaiian pizza in his face as Michael Corleone.
Facing Down Changes in Hollywood
Our mate Al is also reflecting on the future of cinema. Despite a significant drop in box office sales—40% in the last decade—this icon insists that cinemas aren’t going anywhere. “It can’t happen,” he says firmly, reminding us of that classic line. It’s comforting to hear a titan like Pacino still believes he has a role to play, even amid falling ticket sales and a pop culture dominated by TikTok dances. “Things go on and then they change, because that’s who we are.”
Will he embrace AI tech to replicate his likeness after he leaves us for the big set in the sky? “My children will take over when I’m gone, and they will take care of it. I trust them.” Trust, it seems, is a theme for Pacino. Whether he’s contemplating life, love, or just how to duplicate the depth of his voice without it sounding like your dad trying to remember his ex-girlfriend’s name.
Shrek and Shared Laughter
Let’s take a closer look at Al’s phone case, shall we? Sporting a slick Shrek montage, it seems Pacino can mix hearts with humor. “I seriously don’t want to,” he winks when asked about voicing animated characters—though one can imagine him smashing a panda role and rolling on the floor enjoying it.
With an hour and 20 minutes of laughter, tales of near-death experiences during the pandemic, and of course, the tales of financial ruin with his accountant behind bars—Pacino’s an open book, exciting, and may I add, a man who knows how to spin a yarn. Oh, and he’s also a chess player. Makes you wonder if Jamie Foxx is the best player and Pacino somehow didn’t notice De Niro is still trying to figure out how to move a rook.
The Last Laugh
Al Pacino, a man who’s promised us he will still be around, balancing both charming and slightly alarming insights while never truly managing to be a godfather. More mystifying is that he still doesn’t have a Hollywood star when he’s practically a constellation in the cinematic galaxy. As Pacino himself put it, “Well, you know, I’m not irreplaceable.” Sure, Al, but it’s you who we’ve hung our mob dreams on.
*Sonny Boy* by Al Pacino is out now, revealing tales of laughter and drama that can only come from a Hollywood legend. And don’t forget to catch a one-hour version of the riveting interview on BBC 2 airing on the 25th of October at 21:00 BST.
