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New HBO Promo Gives Brief Glimpse of ‘Paterno’

We know what Al Pacino will look like as Joe Paterno in Paterno, and after an HBO promotional video previewing the entertainment giant’s biggest highlights for 2018, we now know what he’ll sound like.

The ad, which included network staples like LastWeek Tonight With John OliverSilicon Valley, and Ballers, showed a four-second montage of players practicing, Paterno strolling through the Lasch Practice Field, students cheering on a set that remotely resembles Beaver Stadium, and Paterno looking on from the coaches’ box, where he dwelled a number of times later in his career.

Barry Levinson’s biopic documenting the life of Paterno was originally titled Happy Valley, but the ad displayed its title as simply, Paterno.

Pacino, who plays a convincing Paterno visually, seemed to have made an attempt at re-creating the all-time winningest coach’s iconic raspy voice. Although his voice isn’t as off-target as the film’s rendition of the JoePa statue, Hollywood still falls short of the real thing. This is all based on the one line he has in the clip: “Take care of yourselves. We still have things to do,” presumably in reference to Paterno’s speech to players after he was fired in 2011.

The biopic doesn’t have a set release date, but it has been in the works for quite some time. As far back as 2012, Pacino was rumored to be playing Paterno, but work on the project halted shortly after. Earlier this year, his name was once again connected to an HBO documentary about Penn State and filming commenced in the following months.

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About the Author

Anthony Colucci

Anthony Colucci was once Onward State’s managing editor and preferred walk-on honors student who majored in psychology and public relations. Despite being from the make-believe land of Central Jersey, he was never a Rutgers fan. If you ever want to know how good Saquon Barkley's ball security is, ask Anthony what happened when he tried to force a fumble at the Mifflin Streak. If you want to hear the story or are bored and want to share prequel memes, follow @_anthonycolucci on Twitter or email him at [email protected]. All other requests and complaints should be directed to Onward State media contact emeritus Steve Connelly.

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