I've heard all kinds of rumors about the people who were originally considered for parts in The Godfather. Can someone please list the various actors who never made the cut?

If you have the "Godfather" DVD boxed set, check out Disc 4, which has all the extras. It shows a couple screen-tests by other actors for the role of Michael. One of which was Martin Sheen.

Gee, that sounds a lot like a homework project. Tell you what. How about you take the time and pull that all together and post it back for the rest of us to read.

You can find what you want in Harlan Lebo's "The Godfather Legacy."

I've seen/heard a few things bantered around over the years witout having checked Lebo's book. Such as:

For the role of Michael, Paramount originally favored Robert Redford or Ryan O'Neill over the completely unknown Al Pacino, for whom FFC fought.

FFC considered Laurence Olivier for the role of Vito Corleone, in fact I think he was Coppola's FIRST choice even over Brando!

James Caan originally tested for the part of Michael and Robert DeNiro tested for the part of Santino. He didn't get it but stuck in FFC's mind when time came to cast young Vito for GFII.

Another fellow who supposedly tested for the role of Santino was....Frankie Avalon.

Apple

Somebody named Robbie somethingorother wanted to play an 18 year old Tony in Part 2. There are more, but Id have to look in a book or on IMDB

can u imagine if al pacino had never got the part we probrberly would not have come across al pacino. the film wouldn;t be as good

All it takes is that one chance to show what you're made of. On the same token, sometimes it takes an unknown to really make a movie. For instance, Cary Grant almost played James Bond. Harrison Ford was a carpenter on the set of Star Wars. Thank God FFC fought as hard as he did for Pacino...

Fathersson,

This member is fairly new to the site and I think that he was looking for some assitance from the senior members.


Don Cardi

Yes, I understand that.

I tried to say it in a joking matter. For what he has asked for is not a simple matter, and if you look can be a lengthy chore.

Can someone please list the various actors who never made the cut?

It wasn't could you tell me where I may find this or do you know any of the people. It was Please List much like a school question or assigment. New or not I wasn't being down right rude and lighten the responce with two
so let us not be so sensitive.

The whole scene between Tom Hayden and Jack Woltz "Johnny Fontaine never gets that movie" was used by FCC when fighting for Brando. The studio wanted Olivier not Brando. FCC always wanted Brando. Another actor considered for the part was Gene Hackman. He had first dibs on the book but later changed his mind, stating it was too violent

That's quite difficult to believe considering Hackman had won an Oscar for his role in The French Connection only one year earlier.

Seemed to me like a pretty violent film...and not quite as 'stylish' as The Godfather.

Oh, well...I'm just glad it was Brando who ended up playing the part!!!

Apple

What's hard to believe? Hackman made the "French Connection" because he turned down "The Godfather". He had first rights to buy the BOOK from MP and stated the BOOK was too violent and wasn't sure he could do it justice. Ask Turnbull!!

Maybe they could have gotten Jane Fonda to play Kay

Now THAT makes more sense now that you've included a little more detail. Still though, I don't question the fact that Hackman bowed out from GF on the claim he could not 'do it justice'... but it's ironic that an actor who turns down a book because of violence then turns around and makes a movie even MORE violent than film version of The Godfather turned out to be.

Bottom line...if the story is true Hackman made the right decision!

Apple

What really blows my mind was FFC's decesion to cast DeNiro as Paulie....thank GOD for that movie that Pacino had to get out of (in order to do the godfather) that RDN was released/traded for.....(can't remember the name)

I could not imagine anyone but him as the young don

now I remember..the Gang that couldn't shoot straight...that was the name of the movie