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 didn't they want Marlon Brando in The Godfather?

But Paramount Pictures firmly opposed hiring Brando. With his reputation for being difficult, Brando might delay production, and in the late 1960s, following a run of failures, he seemed more like box-office poison than the cultural icon he would later become.

Who turned down the role of Don Corleone?

Orson Welles - Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather (1972)

Welles was also the preferred choice of Paramount studios. Luckily, they eventually caved to Coppola's insistence that no one but Brando could do justice to the role.

Why was Brando in Godfather 2?

In The Godfather Part II (1974) Marlon Brando was originally supposed to reprise his role in the final flashback scene. But due to a financial dispute with the studio, he didn't appear and Francis Ford Coppola rewrote the scene without him.

Who was the highest paid actor in The Godfather?

A distinguished character actor, Richard S. Castellano was the highest earning actor in The Godfather, whose fame outside the saga included playing Joe Girelli in The Super. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his role in Love and Other Strangers.

Why Did Marlon Brando Not Return For The Godfather: Part II?

How much did Al Pacino get paid for Godfather 2?

How much did Al Pacino get paid for The Godfather 2? For his part in the sequel to 1972's The Godfather, 1974's The Godfather: Part II, Al Pacino's salary was upped from $35,000 to $500,000 ($3.18 million today)—as well as 10% of the film's profits.

How much was James Caan paid for The Godfather 2?

$35,000 – Caan made $35,000 for his appearance in "The Godfather" (1972), where he played the role of Sonny Corleone, according to IMDb. He reportedly earned the same salary for the franchise's sequel, "The Godfather Part II" (1974).

Why did Michael kiss Fredo in Godfather 2?

The kiss is known as "Il bacio della morte," meaning "the kiss of death." In this instance, it was to signify to Fredo that he was marked for death for betraying his brother to Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) and his right-hand man Johnny Ola (Dominic Chianese) in The Godfather Part II.

How much did Al Pacino get paid for The Godfather 3?

But Pacino wanted $7 million plus a percentage of the gross. Francis Ford Coppola refused. He threatened to rewrite the script by starting the story with Michael's funeral sequence instead of the film's introduction. Pacino agreed to the $5 million offer.

Why did Al Ruddy leave Godfather 2?

"[T]he contracts for The Godfather Part II specified that Ruddy would have no connection with the project…,". Bart also added that the close "three amigos-like" relationship shown in The Offer, between Ruddy, Coppola and Evans, was a fabrication of the show.

Who was the original choice for Michael Corleone?

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. Coppola wanted an unknown Italian American actor.

Who betrayed Vito Corleone?

These four rats betrayed the Corleone family: Salvatore “Sal” Tessio, Paulie Gatto, Fabrizio and Carlo Rizzi.

Who was the first choice for 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 Marlon Brando refuse best actor?

He saw the way America historically treated Native Americans as part of the "same deep, corrosive racism that refused to extend civil rights to African Americans," and he felt far more invested in dealing with those kinds of ongoing issues than with whether he should accept an Oscar.

Why did Marlon Brando stuff his cheeks in The Godfather?

Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone "look like a bulldog," so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for the audition. For the actual filming, he wore a mouthpiece made by a dentist. This appliance is on display in the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.

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.

What happened to Tom Hagen in Godfather 2?

The Godfather: Part II

Hagen remains on when Michael moves his family to Nevada, albeit in the reduced role that he dislikes. For instance, he was excluded from his negotiations with rival crime boss Hyman Roth.

Why wasn t Tom Hagen in Godfather 3?

Hagen was originally intended to have been featured in The Godfather Part III, but was written out due to a salary dispute between Duvall and the film's producers. Coppola stated in the film's commentary that Duvall demanded the same salary as Al Pacino (who portrayed Michael Corleone).

Why was Winona Ryder replaced in Godfather 3?

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 Hyman Roth betray Michael?

Roth secretly plans to assassinate Michael, partly to avenge Moe Greene's murder (as depicted in The Godfather). Roth instructs Ola to befriend Michael's brother Fredo, who provides Ola (and Roth) information about Michael that enables them to make an attempt on his life.

Who shot Fredo in the boat?

Fredo, moments before his death at Lake Tahoe. Upon their mother's death, and at the urging of their sister Connie, Michael relented toward Fredo and seemingly offered reconciliation. However, it was only a deception to draw Fredo in so as to have him murdered by Al Neri.

Why did Michael not forgive Fredo?

He found his brother tried to have him and his family killed. How could you ever trust him? Even if you cut ties with Fredo, Michael would always have to fear the possibility of Fredo going to the cops or planning another hit. He thought he and Fredo were good and Fredo betrayed him over jealousy.

How rich was Michael Corleone in Godfather 2?

Plus, The Godfather and its sequels never really mentioned the Corleone Family's net worth. In The Godfather Part III, Michael made some generous donations to the Vatican and owned a sizable share of Immobiliare stock, totaling almost $1 billion, which means his net worth must have been at least $1-2 billion.

What happened to the $2 million dollars in Godfather 2?

Michael never turned over the case. He took it back to the U.S. by private plane when he left the night of Batista's downfall.

How much was Marlon Brando worth at death?

Marlon Brando's Net Worth at the Time of His Death

By the time of his death, his accumulated wealth stood at a staggering $100 million. This formidable net worth made him one of the wealthiest actors of the 20th century.