Movie News

5 Times Al Pacino and Robert De Niro Almost Played Each Other’s Roles

Published by
Tim Molloy

Robert De Niro told Pacino to Take Scarface — Or He Would

Robert De Niro said in a joint interview with Pacino for GQ in 2019, around the time The Irishman was released, that he remembered urging Pacino to make Scarface with Brian De Palma – which Pacino ultimately did. “I said, if you don’t do it, I’m gonna do it,”

De Niro recalled saying. Pacino, meanwhile, says he remembers that De Niro and Scorsese were “playing with the idea” of a Scarface movie. 

Three years after Pacino played fictional gangster Tony Montana in 1983’s Scarface, De Niro played the original Scarface, Al Pacino, in 1987’s The Untouchables.

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Tim Molloy

View Comments

  • De Niro is known more now for his political garbage than his movies. I wouldn't cross the street to see him in a movie.

  • I can see the comments section is infested with alt-right cult members following the link from the Drudge Report.

  • Pacino has had a much wider body of excellent work (see Scent of a Woman, Devil's Advocate). DeNiro is good in Mob roles, but ordinary in others.

    I also wouldn't mind seeing him stick to movies and away from politics.

  • I agree. Al Pacino has more breath and depth as an actor. DeNiro's ascent into that rarefied air was made possible through Scorcese's directorial balls and know how. Al Pacino's success can be directly related to Pacinos talent. Look at the movie historical perspective. Pacino worked with many talented directors. The same cannot be said of Mr. DeNiro

  • de Niro is an airhead with 5 great performances, each playing someone with brain damage. this is not that hard to do. otherwise he mugs and schticks, and for some reason everyone swoons.

    Pacino hasn't had enough good roles for his talent, and has made some strange choices, but his is the greater talent, by far.

  • "The Irishman" is the third time Pacino and De Niro are united on screen. They never shared the screen in "The Godfather Part II". And to say "only" the fourth is stupid. Most stars aren't ever in the same movie much less four!

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