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While it’s hard to imagine anyone but Al Pacino in the role of Michael Corleone, the veteran actor wasn’t the first choice for the lead inThe Godfather. With barely one film to his credit, Pacino was nowhere near to his competitors when it came to auditions and casting. However, the actor was miraculously offered the role after his screen tests.
According to reports, Martin Sheen and Robert De Niro were initially screen-tested for the lead role. However, Francis Ford Coppola couldn’t picture anyone but Al Pacino’s face when he imagined a scene from the movie. But ultimately it was George Lucas’ wife Marcia who played the main role in signing Pacino.
Also read:“He had a heart attack”: Paramount Pictures’ Refusal to Cast Al Pacino in ‘The Godfather’ Endangered Barber’s Life in Twisted Turn of Events After Director Fought to Cast Oscar Winner
Al Pacino Wasn’t The First Choice ForThe Godfather
WhenThe Godfatherwas still a vision for director Francis Ford Coppola and producer Albert S. Ruddy in 1971, Al Pacino was a well-known and respected actor on Broadway. However, unlike most of his competitors, the veteran actor lacked experience, since he only had one movie,The Panic In Needle Park, under his belt.
Thus, it was unexpected forAl Pacinoto bag the leading role in the cult classic,The Godfather(1972). Evidently, he wasn’t the initial choice for the role, as Martin Sheen and Robert De Niro were already in the queue with their decorated resume and work experience.
Paramount Pictures was aware that the role would be a launching pad for a young talent, thus they wanted no mistake in casting the lead. This enforced immense pressure on the director Francis Ford Coppola, who was pretty much the only one looking for Al Pacino to lead the movie.
However, with no one on his side, and immense responsibility on his shoulders, even Coppola began shifting his vision from Pacino to other actors.
Also read:“I’m being presumptuous myself”: Al Pacino Believes Christopher Nolan Hates Him for a Strange Reason After Working Together in $114M Movie
The Miraculous Casting Of Al Pacino InThe Godfather
Robert Evans, Paramount Pictures’ head of production back then, openly hated the idea of Al Pacino playing the lead role of Michael Corleone in their next blockbusterThe Godfather. Therefore, with Paramount Pictures levying such a responsibility on Francis Ford Coppola while having a downvote from Evans for Pacino, it was rather difficult for the filmmaker to cast the veteran in the leading role.
The Godfatherdirector was thus looking for someone to be on his side. As for him, there was no one else better than the quiet and intense Al Pacino, who could ever embody Michael Corleone inThe Godfather. Although Pacino’s screen test sessions were less than stellar, Coppola was hellbent on casting him as the lead.
Ultimately,Francis Ford Coppolawas successful in signing Al Pacino for the role, which proved to be one of the greatest castings in movie history. But, it was George Lucas’ wife Marcia, who was to be credited for the miracle to happen. Apparently, while editing the actor’s screen tests, Lucas’ wife told Coppola, “He [Al Pacino] undresses you with his eyes.”
Her words stuck with the director, and he couldn’t agree more. Thus, he eventually wore down Robert Evans and cast Pacino as Michael Corleone.
WatchThe Godfatheron Netflix.
Read more:“I couldn’t get anyone to take me seriously”: The Godfather Director Fired His Special Effects Team for $216M Movie With Keanu Reeves to Hire His 25 Year Old Son
Source:TIME
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3219
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
