Barry Navidi’s journey began at The London Film School, where he graduated in 1985 with a Postgraduate Degree in the Technique and Art of Filmmaking. During this time, he forged a lasting friendship with Danny Huston, leading to a close professional and personal relationship with the Huston family.
This connection opened the doors for Navidi to produce John Huston’s last film as an actor, Mister Corbett’s Ghost (1987), financed by John Paul Getty, Jr., and directed by Danny Huston. The same year, he served as production consultant on Mr. North, starring Angelica Huston, Lauren Bacall, and Robert Mitchum, and worked on John Huston’s final directorial effort, The Dead (1988), starring Angelica Huston.
In 1990, Navidi relocated to Los Angeles, where he developed and packaged several film projects with major studios such as Columbia Pictures, Paramount, Universal, Fox, and Warner Bros. During the 1990s, Navidi co-produced Big Bad Love (2001), directed by Arliss Howard and starring Debra Winger and Rosanna Arquette, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Barry Navidi’s creative partnership with mentor Marlon Brando was one of the defining moments of his career. In 1993, their paths crossed, sparking a unique collaboration that spanned several years and projects. Recognized as one of the greatest cinematic talents of all time, Navidi’s collaborations with Brando stand as some of the most significant milestones in his career. Their partnership resulted in a series of acclaimed films, starting with Don Juan DeMarco (1994), followed by The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), and Free Money (1998).
One of the most enigmatic projects in Barry Navidi’s career is the uncompleted film Divine Rapture (1995), which featured an extraordinary cast, including Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Debra Winger, and John Hurt. Set in a small 1950s Irish community, the film tells the story of a series of miracles that take place in the town of Ballycotton, County Cork, where filming began in the summer of 1995. The production was expected to bring significant economic benefits to the local community. However, after just two weeks of shooting, the production came to an abrupt halt when the finances of the production company, CineFin, collapsed. With only 24 minutes of footage captured, the project was left incomplete, leaving most of the cast and crew unpaid.
Despite this setback, Divine Rapture remains a significant part of Barry Navidi’s journey, particularly because of his deep connection with Marlon Brando. Having worked for six years to bring the project to life, Navidi’s passion and dedication were central to its development. In 2009, the documentary Ballybrando was produced, recounting the dramatic story behind the failed production, featuring interviews with the cast, crew, and Navidi himself. The documentary also included scenes from the film, providing a glimpse into what could have been a cinematic masterpiece. In a testament to his resilience and vision, Navidi has since reworked the script under a new title, Holy Mackerel, with plans of revisiting the project in Ireland in the future.
Working alongside such a towering figure in the world of cinema, Navidi was not only witness to Brando’s unparalleled talent but also to his creative genius. Their collaborations remain a testament to Navidi’s ability to work with the best and bring out exceptional performances in some of cinema’s most iconic figures.
Similarly, Barry Navidi shares a close and enduring creative bond with Al Pacino, a friendship that has shaped some of the most impactful projects in Navidi’s career. Barry has not only served as Pacino’s producer but has also been his confidant and partner in bringing some of the most compelling stories to the screen. Their creative synergy and mutual respect have resulted in groundbreaking films that have left an indelible mark on cinema.
Barry’s passion for British literary greats, particularly William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, has driven his commitment to retelling these classic stories for a modern audience. In 2004, Navidi brought to life the critically acclaimed adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, and Joseph Fiennes, which received a BAFTA nomination. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival and had a Royal Premiere in London with the presence of the then HRH Prince Charles.
In 2008, Navidi produced the award-winning docu-drama Wilde Salomé, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play Salomé, starring Al Pacino and Jessica Chastain, and directed by Pacino himself. This film is notable for launching Jessica Chastain’s stellar career and premiered at both the Venice International Film Festival and the Dublin Film Festival in 2012. The film version of Salomé was completed in 2013 and premiered at the British Film Institute (BFI).
Today, Barry Navidi continues his groundbreaking work with longtime collaborator Al Pacino. Among his most highly anticipated projects are Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness, a dramedy directed by Johnny Depp, chronicling three pivotal days in the life of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, starring Riccardo Scamarcio, and Lear Rex, a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear directed by Bernard Rose (Immortal Beloved) featuring an all-star cast including Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Jessica Chastain.
Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness holds deep personal meaning for both Pacino and Navidi. Over 50 years ago, playwright Dennis McIntyre wrote the play specifically for Pacino to star as Modigliani. Though Pacino’s commitments prevented him from bringing it to Broadway, he entrusted the project to Navidi a decade ago, with the intention for Pacino to direct. However, recognizing their long-standing friendships with Johnny Depp – Pacino from Donnie Brasco and Navidi from Divine Rapture – both decided to pass the baton to Depp. This shared bond with Depp has made the collaboration even more meaningful. Modi will have its world premiere at the prestigious San Sebastián Film Festival this month, ahead of its release in 2024.
The highly anticipated project Lear Rex also stars Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Emmy winners Rachel Brosnahan (the upcoming Superman) and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah), Chris Messina (Argo), Ted Levine (The Silence of the Lambs), Danny Huston (The Constant Gardener), Matthew Jacobs (Bar America), Rhys Coiro (Entourage), and Stephen Dorff (Blade), who join Al Pacino and Jessica Chastain in this modern retelling of King Lear.
Having been in development for 15 years, the idea for the film first emerged while Navidi and Pacino were working together on Salomé and Wilde Salomé. Building on the success of The Merchant of Venice, Pacino proposed the adaptation of King Lear to Navidi. After years of planning, they brought Bernard Rose on board to direct, with a contemporary interpretation of the play infused with avant-garde surrealism. Nine months ago, Pacino and Navidi reignited the project, with Navidi assembling a stellar cast with the help of CAA. Lear Rex is currently slated for a fall 2025 release.
Barry Navidi’s ability to collaborate with legendary talents while fostering new ones has cemented his status as both a guardian of cinematic tradition and a forward-thinking innovator. His commitment to elevating cinema through artistic integrity and cultural insight continues to shape the film industry.