Al Pacino says 'it's fun' to be a new dad at 84

Check it out: Al Pacino discusses his experiences with death, The Godfather, and his unique phone case.

The Godfather has never actually assumed the role of a godfather.

At the very least, he's fairly convinced that's how things are.

Al Pacino, one of the greatest movie stars ever, is in a suite at a hotel in Beverly Hills, appearing astonished at the notion that this accolade has eluded him until now.

"I'm not sure, but I suppose I don't associate with people who would bring that up," he reflects.

"I can't recall anyone ever asking me that."

If you happen to be Al Pacino's godchild and he seems to have forgotten about it, just remember what his character Michael Corleone said in The Godfather: “it’s not personal.”

Recently, Al Pacino has been reflecting on his life a great deal. Now 84 years old, the acclaimed actor known for films like Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and The Irishman has penned his autobiography, which he has named Sonny Boy, a nickname given to him by his mother.

He shares that a significant reason for his decision to put his life in writing was the arrival of his fourth child last year at the age of 83. His son, named Roman, is currently 16 months old.

The book ensures that the child will have the chance to discover their father's story.

"I want to be there for this child, and I really hope I get the chance," he expresses.

"I wish to remain in good health, and it's important that he recognizes who his father is."

Noor Alfallah and Al Pacino welcomed their son, Roman, in June 2023.

Pacino, who has never tied the knot, is no longer in a relationship with Roman's mother, film producer Noor Alfallah. Despite that, they are both actively involved in co-parenting. However, according to his own comments, most of his daily interactions with his child are mainly through online communication.

Pacino mentions that Roman occasionally sends him text messages.

"Everything he does feels genuine, and I find it all intriguing. We have conversations, and I join him in playing the harmonica during another video call. This has created a special connection between us, and it's enjoyable."

Al Pacino captivates audiences once more with his remarkable performance on screen.

Friends have reached out to Al Pacino to question him about his decision to write a memoir, and he confesses that he "kind of wishes he hadn't."

Throughout the years, he had declined multiple opportunities, but he finally concluded that “so much has taken place in my life that it might actually be intriguing for someone to read about.”

What he especially loved doing was reminiscing about his childhood spent in the South Bronx of New York.

It's obvious that he has no hesitation in reflecting on his most notable films.

It's been over 50 years since Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather catapulted Pacino to stardom. This December marks the 50th anniversary of its sequel, The Godfather Part II. Both movies received the Academy Award for Best Picture. (There was also The Godfather Part III released in 1990, which Pacino admits had its "issues").

The reality is that Pacino nearly missed out on being involved with them.

Back then, circumstances were quite different. He was essentially presented with an opportunity that he simply couldn't turn down.

Pacino in The Godfather and the moment that "rescued me"

Relaxed and smiling widely, Pacino eagerly shares the tale of how nearly got fired in the first two weeks of filming: “When your director approaches you and says, ‘I really believed in you. What's going on? You're not performing as expected.’”

"As the sounds of chirping fill the air, a sense of unease washes over you. You begin to wonder if you truly belong in this place."

The studio was urging Coppola to find a replacement for Pacino, as they believed his acting lacked energy.

The filming of one of the most iconic moments in The Godfather marked a major turning point. In this scene, Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, uses a gun he had concealed in the restroom of a restaurant to take down a mob boss and a corrupt police officer. This intense sequence allowed Pacino to deliver a powerful performance that is now celebrated as one of the greatest in cinematic history.

He thinks that Coppola accelerated the filming of the scene to “focus on the core content, since that’s what the studio was eager to see."

"He now says he didn’t," Pacino chuckles.

Regardless of the path he took, it transformed his life.

He goes on to present an intriguing idea about who might have taken his place if he had been fired.

He takes a moment to think and says, "Bob De Niro pops into my head."

This could have significantly altered the course of film history—imagine Robert De Niro joining the Godfather series a film earlier and taking on the role of Michael instead of the young Vito.

“Of course, why not?” laughs Pacino. “But, you see, I’m not someone who can’t be replaced.”

Scarface had many memorable lines, but when it first came out, the movie didn't do very well at the box office.

Yet, it's the 1983 film Scarface that appears to have a unique significance for him.

“It has that special something. It was intense,” he smiles when discussing the over-the-top, drug-fueled crime movie, reflecting on its journey from a box office failure and Razzie nominee to becoming a cult favorite, calling it “a feel-good tale.”

He notes that it was the hip-hop community that truly welcomed it and recognized the narrative within. He also highlights that the film set records for VHS sales.

When I suggested to him that this might be the film he wished he had won an Oscar for instead of his victory ten years later for portraying a blind veteran in Scent of a Woman, he responded with, "Yes, that's an interesting thought." He went on to say, "Yeah, I would have liked to have even been nominated," but then toned it down a bit by adding, "Not that I’m dismissing Scent of a Woman."

However, the meaning is unmistakable.

In 1993, Pacino received his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Scent of a Woman.

"Hollywood's Future: What Lies Ahead?"

Throughout the interview, it becomes clear how deeply Pacino continues to cherish the experience of being on the big screen.

Even though ticket sales have dropped by 40% over the last ten years, he can’t envision Los Angeles without movie theaters.

He stops for a moment before saying again, “That can’t occur,” and then lists a few filmmakers (one in his 60s and two in their 80s) whom he thinks will protect the future of cinema: “That’s what Scorsese is working on. That’s what Tarantino is focusing on. Francis Coppola is doing the same.”

It's quite daring to bring up this topic, especially considering that Coppola's latest self-funded movie, Megalopolis, is viewed as one of the biggest failures at the box office ever.

Pacino might benefit from recalling the famous line from The Godfather: "A true friend tends to downplay your strengths."

Nevertheless, it’s quite comforting when he concludes that he is optimistic about the future of cinema, explaining, “Perhaps it's just my age influencing me. Life continues, and then it evolves, as that’s simply part of our nature.”

He has a relaxed approach towards the idea of AI replicating his image after he passes away. He said, “When I’m no longer around, my kids will manage everything, and I have complete confidence in them.”

He won't be imposing any restrictions on the projects he chooses to be part of, casually stating, "I really don't care about that."

Pacino's image was utilized in the 2006 video game Scarface: The World Is Yours.

What was supposed to be a 45-minute session has stretched to nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes, as it’s evident just how much he loves to share his stories.

One of the key moments was when he shared his extensive story about how he thinks he might have died during the pandemic after fainting at home.

“Some people believe I don’t believe in life after death because I mentioned not seeing anything—no bright tunnels or anything like that. It’s possible that there’s no afterlife waiting for me, but perhaps others will experience something different because they lived their lives in a way I didn’t.”

He is also eager to discuss in detail the moment in 2011 when he discovered that his bank accounts had no money in them.

“I had run out of funds. Everything was depleted, and my accountant was locked up. I was unknowingly blowing through $400,000 each month. You really have to be oblivious to let that happen.”

When asked about what he’s currently watching, Pacino recently binge-watched the second season of Netflix's Monster, which focuses on the Menendez Brothers. That same morning, he took the time to write a handwritten letter to Javier Bardem to commend him on his performance.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver are two younger actors he greatly respects. He reflects on his own career with a borrowed saying: "The memorable performances often have me wielding a firearm. They often tell you, 'Put a gun in Pacino’s hands, and you'll have a success.'"

By the way, he shares that Jamie Foxx is Hollywood's top chess player. Al Pacino mentions he used to play frequently and chuckles when I inquire if he has ever faced off against Robert De Niro. “I’m not sure he even understands the game,” he replies.

Many individuals possess a star, while others do not.

A surprising detail comes to light when he sets his phone down on the table. The case is decorated with a collage of images from Shrek. He shares that his youngest daughter, Olivia, chose it a few years back, and he's kept it like that to make her happy.

Even though he has experience with Shrek, there’s one thing he’s not interested in: lending his voice to animated movies. “I just can’t do it. I've given it a shot,” he stated.

I challenged him by asking if he truly believes that a talented method actor can't voice cartoon characters. Not even a panda, for instance?

"Alright, I believe I can," he concedes, then laughs and adds, "But honestly, I really don’t want to."

In addition to never having taken on the role of a godfather, another notable absence from Pacino's accolades is his lack of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The moment the subject comes up, he cuts in, saying, “Oh, I don’t have a star.”

He has been aware of this for some time and then looks to his assistant Mike, asking, "Is there a process for achieving all of this? To become a star?"

"Looks like you've had your hands full!" Mike responds, trying to clarify.

Is he interested in getting one?

At the age of 84, Pacino continues to hold onto his ambitions in Hollywood.

"Sonny Boy," featuring Al Pacino, has been released.

A one-hour edition of this interview is set to air on BBC 2 on October 25 at 9:00 PM British Summer Time.