“A Couple of Toddlers”: Johnny Depp and Al Pacino Reunite in Modì, Decades After Donnie Brasco

It all began with a mob story in 1997—but the real magic between Johnny Depp and Al Pacino was never just on screen. Their legendary pairing in Donnie Brasco, where Depp portrayed undercover FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone and Pacino the weary, aging mobster Lefty Ruggiero, sparked not only critical acclaim but a friendship that has stood the test of time. Now, nearly three decades later, the duo has reunited for Modì: Three Days on the Wing of Madness—a long-gestating passion project that sees Depp stepping behind the camera for the first time in 25 years, and Pacino taking on a role both on-screen and as co-producer.

The biopic, which explores the tempestuous life of Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, is more than just a film—it’s a tribute to shared vision and enduring camaraderie. The idea was born during the filming of Donnie Brasco itself. In a quiet moment between scenes, Pacino floated the idea of telling Modigliani’s story. “We should do a film about Modì,” he told Depp. “Three days. That’s the movie.” It would take more than 25 years for that offhand remark to become a reality—with Depp at the helm, Pacino by his side, and their friendship as the film’s spiritual compass.

Their bond, equal parts reverence and ridiculousness, has aged like a fine bottle of Sicilian wine. Depp once jokingly described Pacino as “certifiably insane.” Pacino, never one to miss a beat, shot back: “You’re pretty f***ing strange yourself.” In interviews, they affectionately refer to themselves as “a couple of toddlers”—a fitting label for two men who share a childlike delight in their craft and in each other’s company.

For Depp, directing Modì was a deeply personal endeavor. Pacino’s faith in his creative eye was unwavering. “He’s a wild fella. Wonderful,” Pacino said of Depp. “Directing, painting, playing guitar—he’s got this energy that’s always creating something.” That energy was on full display during filming, with Pacino noting that Depp’s direction brought a unique charm and rhythm to the story, allowing moments of madness and melancholy to exist in harmony.

The admiration is mutual. In his Friends & Heroes art collection, Depp included a painted portrait of Pacino—a testament to the actor’s influence in his life. The piece, like the collection, sold out rapidly, confirming Depp’s reputation as a serious artist beyond his screen persona.

The off-screen chemistry that fuels their working dynamic is unmistakable. Depp has been known to slip into Pacino impressions during interviews, hilariously mimicking the veteran actor’s cadence and quirks with affectionate precision. But beneath the laughter is a bedrock of creative respect. “There’s a freedom when we’re together,” Depp once said. “We know we’re going to try something mad—and it’ll somehow work.”

Modì is more than a film; it’s a portrait of a decades-long friendship, painted with humor, passion, and a little bit of chaos. It’s the story of two artists who never stopped believing in each other—and who, in their own words, are still just a couple of toddlers making art for the sheer joy of it.