He was the only actor Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola could imagine as Mafia patriarch Don Corleone in The Godfather. There were just two problems: The studio didn't want Brando, and Brando didn't want the role.

Why didn't they want Marlon Brando to play The Godfather?

Paramount Didn't Want Marlon Brando In The Godfather Due To His Reputation & Box Office Flops. Paramount gave Francis Ford Coppola the task of adapting Mario Puzo's bestselling novel to film because they wanted an Italian-American attached to it, but fought him about his methodology.

Why did Marlon Brando refuse to be in Godfather 2?

Casting. Several actors from the first film did not return for the sequel. Marlon Brando initially agreed to return for the birthday flashback sequence, but the actor, feeling mistreated by the board at Paramount, failed to show up for the single day's shooting. Coppola then rewrote the scene that same day.

Why did Marlon Brando talk like he did in The Godfather?

His vision for Kurtz clashed with Coppola's, notably the character's physicality, as Brando's heavy physique compromised Coppola's interpretation of a scrawny AWOL soldier trapped in the woods. Brando would often improvise his lines, which consisted of various rambling tangents.

Who turned down The Godfather role?

The primary reason why Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather was that the presently retired Nicholson, who identified himself as being Irish throughout his career, felt that the role of the Italian-American Michael should be played by an Italian actor.

The Tragic Death of Tom Hagen | The Godfather Explained

Why did Jack Nicholson refuse The Godfather?

Summary. Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather because he believed that Italians should play Italians and Indians should play Indians.

Who was the first choice to play Don Corleone?

Hard as it may be to believe, Brando was not the first choice to play Don Vito Corleone. The British legend Sir Laurence Olivier was the first actor to be offered the role. Sir Laurence pleaded date issues.

How old was Al Pacino in The Original Godfather?

Al Pacino was 31 when he played Michael Corleone in The Godfather, but the character was only 25. In The Godfather Part III, Pacino was 49 while the character, Michael Corleone, was 59 years old.

What is the saddest scene in The Godfather?

THE GODFATHER: Fredo's Reaction To Vito's Shooting

As soon as he saw his father lying bloody and near death, Fredo broke down in tears. It signified what a helpless man he truly was, to the point where you just feel bad for him. Seeing Don Vito in such a situation also adds to the heaviness of the scene.

What famous line was improvised in The Godfather?

Yet one of its most memorable lines -- “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” -- was entirely improvised and, but for a moment of inspiration, might not have happened. The scene in which it appears encapsulates so much of what makes The Godfather such a triumph.

How exactly did Fredo betray Michael?

After telling Michael that he has never met Ola, Fredo later carelessly tells Geary that he had been to a nightclub with Ola. Michael overhears the conversation and realizes that Fredo betrayed him to Roth. He confronts Fredo, delivering the kiss of death.

Why was Al Pacino not wanted in The Godfather?

Posting a portion of Al Pacino's audition tape for the role of Michael Corleone to his Instagram account, the director stated: “The interesting thing here, was a reason given to me against casting Pacino was not only was he too short, but also too 'scruffy'.”

Who got paid the most in Godfather?

And the person who was paid the highest and played one key character ended up getting fired from the franchise when the turn for The Godfather 2 came. This actor was none other than Richard Castellano, who was riding high waves of fame during the time of the first installment of the franchise.

How much did Marlon Brando get paid for Godfather?

Marlon Brando portrayed the iconic character of Vito Corleone in the first installment of The Godfather. Brando earned a salary of at least $250,000 for his role in the film [1].

How much was Al Pacino paid in The Godfather?

For his breakout role as Michael Corleone in 1972's The Godfather, Al Pacino was reportedly paid $35,000. This relatively small salary was due to him being a relative unknown at the time he was cast, though the fact that the movie launched his career most likely more than made up for the lack of upfront payment.

Why wasn t Robert De Niro in The Godfather?

Robert De Niro was almost in “The Godfather”

De Niro had originally been cast in the role of Paulie, but left the movie to take a role in the film “The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.” The reason there was an opening in that film? Pacino had left the movie to play Michael.

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.

How did Al Pacino feel about The Godfather?

But 'The Godfather' gave me a new identity that was hard for me to cope with.” Pacino added, “It's a piece of work that I was so fortunate to be in. But it's taken me a lifetime to accept it and move on. It's not like I played Superman.”

What word was never mentioned in the film The Godfather?

The Italian American Civil Rights League was concerned about the depiction of Italian Americans in The Godfather. What one word was omitted from the script that allowed the filmmakers to reach a settlement with the group? That one word is “Mafia,” which is never mentioned in any of the three Godfather movies.

Who didn't want Al Pacino in The Godfather?

Diane Keaton said she was cast before Al Pacino in the 1972 classic gangster flick "The Godfather." The actress said Pacino was not the first choice to star as Michael Corleone in the Francis Ford Coppola film. "Nobody wanted Al Pacino.

Who almost played Michael Corleone in The Godfather?

Warren Beatty was offered the chance to direct, produce and star as Michael but turned it down. {Can you imagine Warren Beatty directing the Godfather?) Dustin Hoffman and Jack Nicholson both turned down the role of Michael.

Who else auditioned for Michael Corleone?

Was Paul Newman in The Godfather?

Paul Newman As Tom Hagen

Both Newman and Steve McQueen were considered for the role, but Robert Duvall was eventually chosen to portray Tom Hagen.

Who almost played Sonny in The Godfather?

Anthony Perkins not only auditioned for Sonny, but also for Tom Hagen. Originally Caan was to be cast as the main character Michael Corleone (Sonny's youngest brother), while Carmine Caridi was signed as Sonny. However Coppola demanded that the role of Michael be played by Al Pacino instead.