HBO Films is in the early stages of development on a movie about imprisoned record producer Phil Spector that is being written by David Mamet and will star Al Pacino, The New York Times reported.

Spector, as famous for creating the "wall of sound" in the 1960s as he is for his eccentric personality and untamed wigs, was convicted of second-degree murder last year in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. The 70-year-old music mogul is serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life.

Pacino's agent, John L. Burnham of International Creative Management, told the Times that his client became interested in the project because "He just saw a very interesting character to play, and he likes the sensibility of David (Mamet) and Barry (Levinson)."

Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson has been tapped to serve as executive producer on the still untitled project.