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Al Pacino will play the title role in "King Lear," an adaptation of the Shakespeare play that will be directed by Michael Radford. Radford, who wrote the script, is making his second Shakespearean foray with Pacino after their 2004 collaboration "Merchant of Venice," which cast Pacino as Shylock. Pic will be produced by Barry Navidi, who teamed with Pacino on "Merchant" as well as the upcoming "Salomaybe?," which Pacino directed and stars in. That film, based on the Oscar Wilde play, is in post-production. Radford will shoot the picture entirely in Europe, starting later this year. Pic is being financed out of the U.K. and Northern Ireland."Al has been offered this role many times over the years, but didn't feel ready," Navidi said. "He's ready now. The film will be true to its period, very similar to the classical look of 'Merchant of Venice.' Michael came up with the most brilliant adaptation and Al and I flipped for it."

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