Al Pacino to Play Salvador Dali
Filed under: Drama, Casting, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
I bet you didn't see that one coming. We've already told you about the planned Salvador Dali biopic on more than one occasion -- first, when it was announced and then again when Andrew Niccol thankfully took away directing duties from the guy who brought us Con Air and the remake of When A Stranger Calls (yes, I'm talking about Simon West). Based on Stan Lauryssens' book, Dali and I: The Surreal Story will primarily focus on the surrealist painter's latter years -- when it became less about the art and more about the money, the fame and the power.
Niccol, who wrote and directed the fantastic Gattaca, as well as Lord of War (he also penned The Truman Show), last teamed up with Pacino on S1m0ne (or Simone). Yeah, so I guess they're looking for -- what's the right word -- oh yeah, a do-over. I'm actually a huge fan of Dali's work (don't tell anyone, but a giganto print of Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach currently hangs over my living room couch) and, though I'm not well-versed on the man's life, I am very curious to learn more about who he was and why he loved melting clocks ... aside from the fact that they look really cool on a dorm room wall.
But Al Pacino? Granted, I don't much about the man, but seeing as we've tossed around names like Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem, the last person I imagined would figure into the mix would be Al "Whoo-ah" Pacino. Then again, stranger casting decisions have been made. (ie: Katie Holmes in, well, anything.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-19-2007 @ 8:20AM
Christopher Campbell said...
Erik, we're so alike! I also have a Dali print (“Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea, which at 30 meters becomes the portrait of Abraham Lincoln (Homage to Rothko)”) hanging above my couch.
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1-19-2007 @ 9:10AM
George said...
Al Pacino will Kill in this role. He is one of the Greatest of all time. Let's hope he has a script worthy of his talent. Then sit back end enjoy. Later
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1-19-2007 @ 8:36PM
Brian said...
Sadly, Erik, if the focus is going to be on his later life you will probably not learn too much about why Dali's art was the way it was. If you look through his art on a timeline, a lot of his later works are more abstract than surreal. I think a much more interesting (and fulfilling) period of his life for a documentary would be one which focuses on his relationship with Gala and its impact on his art.
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1-26-2007 @ 12:32AM
Joy said...
OH MY GOSH!!! I wish I could help out on the making of this. WHO WILL PLAY GALA!! OMG OMG OMG - I'd help for free. How do I find this Andrew Niccol!? !? !?
Wow!!!
Pacino... well, wow. just. wow.
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1-29-2007 @ 3:32AM
Arno Schollmeyer said...
Who better an actor then Al Pacino to play Dali. I am one of the biggest fans of Dali and Pacino. Great choice on both parts! Although Dali's earlier years were important, the playing out of his later years will be facsinating to see. From a buisness point of view, Dali's later part of his life is more controversial and will bring in more money. Smart move on Hollywoods part. Bring it on Al!
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