Al Pacino is stepping back into his iconic Godfather persona with his latest role in the action thriller “Father Joe,” where he plays a formidable mob boss.

The legendary American actor, now 85, was spotted for the first time in character on set in Paris this Tuesday, showcasing his transformation.

Known for his legendary portrayal of Michael Corleone in the acclaimed Godfather trilogy, Pacino remains a celebrated figure in Hollywood.

Embracing his gangster roots once more, Pacino was dressed in a stylish beige ensemble, complete with a striking faux fur-collared suit.

The film is directed by Barthélémy Grossmann, with Kiefer Sutherland co-starring as the titular character, Father Joe, alongside Pacino.

The upcoming action thriller is set in the 1990s Manhattan, with Father Joe portrayed as a man of faith who wages a violent war against the city’s criminal underworld. 

Al Pacino, 85, is returning to his Godfather days in new action thriller Father Joe, starring as a powerful mob boss

The American actor transformed into his character as he was seen on set for the first time in Paris on Tuesday

Ever Anderson, 17, the rising star of Peter Pan & Wendy and Black Widow, is set to star as a young woman caught between danger and redemption under Father Joe’s guidance. 

Sutherland said: ‘I have been a fan of Luc Besson [producer] going back to ‘Subway’. As a director and a writer, he has a unique capacity to weave drama and action together without sacrificing either. 

‘I’m so excited about this opportunity to work with him as the writer of ‘Father Joe’ and director Barthélémy Grossmann. I can’t wait to get started.

His outing comes after he was seen for the first time since the heartbreaking death of his former love Diane Keaton.

The Oscar winner was photographed arriving at LAX last week with his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah, looking somber as he made his way through the terminal.

Keaton, who passed away at 79, was long considered the great love of Pacino’s life. 

The two dated on and off from 1971 to 1987 after famously playing husband and wife in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic The Godfather.

A close friend of the actor told the Daily Mail this week that Pacino will ‘forever regret’ not staying with Keaton. “For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, ‘if it’s meant to be, it’s never too late for a do-over.’ But sadly, now it is,” the insider shared.

Going back to his gangster roots, the movie star was seen head to toe in beige, with a dramatic faux fur collar to complement his suit

Barthélémy Grossmann is directing the movie, with actor Kiefer Sutherland (pictured filming today) set to star as Father Joe alongside Pacino

Kiefer transformed into his character Father Joe on the first day of filming

Hollywood Icon Pacino is renowned for his starring role as Michael Corleone in the three Godfather movies

Ever Anderson, 17, the rising star of Peter Pan & Wendy and Black Widow, is set to star as a young woman caught between danger and redemption under Father Joe’s guidance

Keaton once reflected on their relationship herself, admitting Pacino was the one who got away. 

The Scarface star appeared visibly downcast as he headed toward a private jet alongside Noor, with whom he welcomed son Roman in 2023 — his first public outing since losing the woman many believed was the love of his life.

The pair were both dressed down in all-black ensembles — a quiet reflection, perhaps, of the somber mood of the day.

Pacino and Keaton’s romance would last beyond Coppola’s The Godfather Part III, released in 1990, and Keaton later admitted her former co-star was the great love she never ended up with.

‘I didn’t even want him to propose,’ she told The Times of their relationship in 2017. ‘I just thought maybe he would marry me, eventually. I thought, “don’t even propose – let’s just do it.” 

‘But that never happened, and that is a blessing for both of us. It would have been a nightmare for him.’

She added ‘We’re very eccentric, he needed a woman that was going to take care of him, I needed a man who would take care of me.

‘It was just very important that we left each other alone, said goodbye. But it wasn’t my choice.’ 

Keaton and Pacino won accolades for their respective roles as Kay Adams and mafia don Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy.