The 28-year-old actress will play journalist Sara Ganim, who first broke the news about the incident and went on to win her first Pultizer Prize for the story, reported Deadline.
Pacino will play Joe Paterno, the most successful coach in college football history who got embroiled in the child sex abuse scandal, involving his assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
The film will directed and executive produced by Barry Levinson.
It has still not been announced which actor will essay the role of Sandusky, who was found guilty on multiple charges and given a life sentence in jail effectively in 2012.
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