Pacino Won't Meet Spector: 'Convicted Killer a Different Person Now' (VIDEO)
Al Pacino won't meet Phil Spector, the actor has confirmed on Friday. It had been touted that the Hollywood legend was going to meet with the famed record producer and convicted killer before portraying him for an HBO movie, however, the actor has not confirmed that will not happen.
However, even though Pacino has decided not to meet Spector now, he has previously met him, even though he did not remember the meeting. A friend reportedly has shown Pacino a photo from 20 years ago where the actor can be seen standing next to Spector, confirming the two had previously met. However, Pacino revealed he had no recollection of the meeting, according to The Associated Press.
The special HGO movie starring Pacino is due to air in March 2013 and will simply be called "Phil Spector."
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The film will focus on the relationship between Spector and Linda Kenney Baden, who was the record producer's attorney during his first trial after he was charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
That first trial ended in a mistrial, however, a second trial found Spector guilty of the murder and sentenced him to a 19 years to life prison sentence.
Pacino reportedly decided not to meet Spector in person as he believes the Spector of today would be a different person than the one he is being paid to portray in the movies from decades ago.
Instead the Hollywood actor has relied upon video clips of Spector to help him see who the man was in the past and to help him capture his demeanor.
Pacino has said, "I didn't know anything about him, except that he was responsible for a lot of great music and this strange case," according to AP.
Attorney Baden is portrayed by actress Helen Mirren in the HBO movie. However, she was not the first choice for the role, and originally Bette Midler had been chosen for the job. Midler even started filming as Baden, but later withdrew after suffering health problems with her back.
