Coppola was dead set on directing Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in what would become their first major film roles, as well as the more established screen actors Robert Duvall and James Caan (who was originally considered by Paramount for Michael Corleone).

Who was the first choice to play Michael in The Godfather?

Woodcut of Al Pacino. When Francis Ford Coppola and Paramount Pictures set out to cast the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, they had a disagreement. The studio wanted Robert Redford, Warren Beatty or Ryan O'Neal.

Who didn t want Al Pacino for Godfather?

"The studio didn't want Al Pacino at all," Keaton said, noting that she was cast before him in the Francis Ford Coppola classic. She then explained what caused the studio to change their opinion: their chemistry read.

Who was supposed to play Michael Corleone's daughter?

However, she was not the first choice for the role as, initially, Winona Ryder was supposed to play Michael Corleone's daughter before she dropped out due to conflicting schedules and medical issues.

Who was originally offered the role of Michael Corleone?

Numerous actors, many of whom were bankable stars, were considered to play Michael. From Jack Nicholson to Warren Beatty to Robert Redford, some of Hollywood's biggest stars were either offered the role or turned it down. Coppola held out for Pacino, but Paramount made a move to cast James Caan as Michael.

Who Was The Original Godfather | Sitdown with Michael Franzese

Who turned down role of Michael Corleone?

Before Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson was in the running to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather. But why did he turn down the iconic role?

Who was almost cast as Michael Corleone?

According to Peter Cowie's 1997 publication The Godfather Book, Paramount initially targeted Warren Beatty and Robert Redford to star as Michael Corleone. By the early '70s, however, Beatty already had a loyal following after starring in the 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde.

Why did Winona Ryder drop out of Godfather?

Sofia Coppola, the daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola, was cast in the role of Mary Corleone after several choices dropped out: Winona Ryder discontinued her involvement with the film due to nervous exhaustion, Julia Roberts due to scheduling conflicts, and Madonna was deemed too old for the part by some.

Why did Winona Ryder pull out of The Godfather?

Ryder had just finished three movies back-to-back and (via Vanity Fair) dropped out of The Godfather 3 at the last minute due to “nervous exhaustion.” Her boyfriend at the time, Johnny Depp, called The Godfather 3 set to say Ryder was ill and couldn't come in for her scenes.

Who was Don Corleone's Favourite child?

Even people who aren't familiar with the film can recognise Marlon Brando's weary, wheezy Mafia boss, Vito Corleone, and his favourite son Michael, played by Al Pacino.

Why did Frank Sinatra not want The Godfather?

It does, however, help explain why he took issue with the character of Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather – a performer who only achieved stardom thanks to a Mob boss pulling strings. As The Offer illustrates, Sinatra took this insinuation as a personal insult.

What did Diane Keaton say about Al Pacino?

In 2017, Keaton told People she "had a crush" on Pacino when they began shooting the movie. Once they got together, she said, "I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker. There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant.

Why didn t they want Marlon Brando to play The Godfather?

Paramount initially didn't want Marlon Brando in The Godfather due to his reputation for being difficult on set and recent box office flops, but Francis Ford Coppola fought for him.

Who almost played Sonny in The Godfather?

According to studio executive Robert Evans in his 1994 memoir The Kid Stays in the Picture, Caridi was director Francis Ford Coppola's first choice for the role of Sonny Corleone, but Evans insisted on James Caan because Caridi was too tall to play opposite Al Pacino.

Who originally turned down the role of Forrest Gump?

The classic role of Forrest Gump was initially offered to John Travolta. He declined the part and has since openly admitted that passing on the role was one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

Who turned down the role of Johnny Fontane?

Damone eventually declined the role because of a salary dispute and also because he did not want to provoke the mob or anger Frank Sinatra, whom Damone profoundly respected. Ultimately, the part of Johnny Fontane was given to Martino.

What word was intentionally omitted from the film The Godfather?

A civil-rights league ensured the words "mafia" and "Cosa Nostra" were excluded from the film. With concern that the film would portray harmful Italian stereotypes, the Italian-American Civil Rights League held a rally in 1970 to protest and halt the production.

Why isn t Sylvester Stallone in Godfather?

Tulsa King star Sylvester Stallone says he tried to get work as an extra on The Godfather but was rejected for not being the right "type of guy."

Why wasn t Sylvester Stallone in The Godfather?

Sylvester Stallone missed out on the chance to be an extra in 'The Godfather'. The 'Rocky' star revealed that he asked Paramount if he could be in the background of the iconic wedding scene in Francis Ford Coppola's classic 1972 crime film but was snubbed because he wasn't "the type of guy".

Who tried out for Godfather role?

Frank Sinatra As Vito Corleone

Other actors who were considered to play Vito included Ernest Borgnine, Burt Lancaster, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Quinn, Edward G. Robinson, Paul Scofield, George C. Scott, and Danny Thomas.

Why is Godfather 3 not liked?

The bulk of the criticism focuses on The Godfather 3's Sofia Coppola casting and performance, which is admittedly quite stilted at times. All those factors added up to the movie's regrettable reception as a lackluster ending to the saga.

Who was supposed to be in Godfather 3?

The Godfather Part III received criticism, partially due to Sofia Coppola's wooden-like acting performance. Winona Ryder was originally cast as Mary Corleone but had to leave the film due to doctor-recommended reasons, which led Francis Ford Coppola to cast his daughter, Sofia Coppola.

Who was originally cast as Luca Brasi?

Luca Brasi is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather, as well as its 1972 film adaptation. In the film, he was portrayed by Lenny Montana, an ex-wrestler and former bodyguard and enforcer for the Colombo crime family.

Did Sylvester Stallone audition for The Godfather?

Sylvester Stallone has become one of the biggest stars in the history of Hollywood, but even he couldn't get everything he wanted as he was rejected when he asked to be an extra in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather.

Who was Don Corleone modeled after?

1. Don Corleone was inspired by real-life mob boss Frank Costello. Don Vito Corleone has similarities to several real-life mobsters, including Joe Profaci, who used his olive oil distributorship as a front for his illegal activities, and Carlo Gambino, who used a quiet, non-flashy style en route to power.