‘Paterno’ is not a sprawling piece that spans years,” Levinson said. “It unfolds largely over a two-week period, when we watch the events play out. I’m not following an agenda or trying to tell the audience to take a certain side in regards to Coach Paterno. The film lays out the elements of the story and leaves you to make your own‎ judgement. There are times when you may feel one way, and times when you may feel a totally different way, and I think that’s what makes the piece so compelling.”

While Levinson has been hit and miss with his recent theatrical releases (with his last film being the Bill Murray starring “ Rock the Kasbah ” in 2015), he really has been putting out great work with HBO, including producing Pacino in the David Mamet film “ Phil Spector ,” so it’ll be exciting to see Pacino and Levinson take on another “based on a true story” tale.

“Paterno” is co-written by “ Grey’s Anatomy” and “ Vinyl ” scribe Debora Cain and “ Nurse Betty” writer John C. Richards . In addition to Pacino, the film co-stars Riley Keough , Kathy Baker , Greg Grunberg , and Annie Parisse . Tom Fontana , who has had a multi-decade spanning working relationship with Levinson, including “ Homicide: Life on the Street” and “ Oz ”, is producing.

“Paterno” hits HBO this spring.



‎