The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola adapted Mario Puzo ’s law-breaking epicThe Godfatherinto one of the not bad films of all time . Then , when the studio pressured him into making a sequel , he madeThe Godfather Part IIas an arguably even greater film . Then , when the studio pressured him into complete the trilogy , he finally disappointed fans withThe Godfather Part III . ButThe Godfathersaga is still remembered asone of cinema ’s finest accomplishment .
The shape ofThe Godfathertrilogy isone of the most unbelievable ever set up — including such filmdom fable as Al Pacino , Diane Keaton , Marlon Brando , Robert Duvall , James Caan , Talia Shire , John Cazale , and Robert De Niro — but the motion picture could ’ve starred very different player .
Updated on May 22nd , 2021 by Kristen Palamara : The Godfather trilogy has become an iconic cinematic experience and a must - see for any film fan . Any Godfather rooter know the cast , but they might not roll in the hay aboutall the other famed actors who were passed over for roles in The Godfather trilogyfrom Tom Hagen to Michael Corleone . histrion at the pinnacle of their careers like Paul Newman and Robert Redford lose out on part whether for better or spoilt , here are the actors that missed out on having The Godfather movies in their already extensive filmography .
Martin Sheen As Michael Corleone & Tom Hagen
Martin Sheen had a decent acting resume before auditioning for multiple roles inThe Godfatherand although recognisable at the time he ’d had mostly appeared in television Edgar Guest spots and arguably had n’t had his big break yet with 1979’sApocalypse Now .
Director Francis Ford Coppola wanted the relatively unknown Al Pacino in the purpose of Michael Corleone and threatened to quit the picture show if his demands were n’t signify and while James Caan was given the role of Sonny after auditioning for Michael , Sheen did n’t land a role in the movie at all .
Anthony Perkins As Sonny Corleone
Anthony Perkins is still best known for one of his first asterisk movie roles as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’sPsychoand was certainly a well - known actor by the timeThe Godfatherwas being swan over a decennary afterPsychowas eject .
Although Perkins had certainly show his do endowment , the purpose of Sonny Corleone finally run to James Caan after Caan had instill the squad enough to get a role although not the role he initially auditioned for .
Paul Newman As Tom Hagen
Paul Newman had a substantial and recognizable calling begin in the 50s and 60s , which made him an appealing choice to appear inThe Godfathermovies as they were trying to receive already set up stars for some of the role .
Both Newman and Steve McQueen were regard for the function , but Robert Duvall was eventually choose to portray Tom Hagen .
Frank Sinatra As Vito Corleone
When a film version ofThe Godfatherwas first in development , a few high - visibility stars lobbied for the character of Vito Corleone , including Frank Sinatraand Orson Welles . Coppola matt-up sorry about turn down Welles , so he offered himthe theatrical role of Colonel Kurtz inApocalypse Now , but he turned it down .
Other actors who were considered to play Vito include Ernest Borgnine , Burt Lancaster , Laurence Olivier , Anthony Quinn , Edward G. Robinson , Paul Scofield , George C. Scott , and Danny Thomas .
Winona Ryder As Mary Corleone
Winona Ryder was initially cast as Mary Corleone inThe Godfather Part III , butshe dropped out to makeMermaidsinstead . Madonna lobbied for the purpose but was ultimately take for too old to play Mary . Julia Roberts was offer the part but turn it down to makePretty Womaninstead . The function eventually sound to Sofia Coppola , the director ’s girl , which drew charge of nepotism .
Before Andy Garcia was cast to toy Vincent Mancini , a number of A - lister plow were consider for the part , including Alec Baldwin , Nicolas Cage , Tom Cruise , Matt Dillon , Val Kilmer , Charlie Sheen , and Billy Zane .
Elvis Presley As Tom Hagen
Some of the actors who were considered to flirt Michael , like Jack Nicholson , were also think to play Tom Hagen . John Cassavetes and Peter Falk both buttonhole for the role , while Bruce Dern , Steve McQueen , and Paul Newman all auditioned for it .
Elvis Presley also auditioned to play Hagen , having been a immense fan of Mario Puzo ’s source material , but he really wanted to play Vito .
Burt Reynolds As Sonny Corleone
Anthony Perkins auditioned to play Sonny Corleone before James Caan was retch , while the producers also considered John Saxon for the part . Burt Reynolds was one of the filmmakers ’ top choices , but there ’s an urban fable thatMarlon Brando refused to work with him . Reynolds did n’t suppose Coppola would cast him , anyway .
Coppola had n’t actually been the studio ’s first choice to directThe Godfather . The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly ’s Sergio Leone was their top choice , butLeone turned down the jobbecause he did n’t care the Mario Puzo novel .
James Cagney As Hyman Roth
Francis Ford Coppola ’s top choice for the use of Hyman Roth was James Cagney . Coppola even blend to Cagney ’s household to discuss the role , but the Hollywood icon ultimately passed on the part .
Oddly enough , Peter Sellers was reportedly one of the runners - up for the part of Roth . Meanwhile , Joe Pesci was consider to act the young Peter Clemenza .
Mia Farrow As Kay Corleone
Diane Keaton ended up being the consummate choice to represent Michael Corleone ’s 2d wife Kay because she had an on - and - off relationship with Al Pacino during the trilogy ’s production .
But she was n’t the first pick for the role . Three repulsion movie starlets — Rosemary ’s Baby ’s Mia Farrow , Don’t Look Now ’s Julie Christie , andTrilogy of Terror ’s Karen Black ( who have her picture show unveiling in Francis Ford Coppola’sYou’re a Big Boy Now ) — were also considered to play Kay .
Franco Nero As Virgil Sollozzo
Franco Nero , the star ofSergio Corbucci ’s groundbreaking originalDjangomovie from the ‘ 60 , was in the running game to bring Virgil Sollozzo inThe Godfather . Plus , Anne Bancroft and Anna Magnani are both report to have turned down the role of Carmela Corleone .
William Devane was considered to play Moe Greene , Olivia Hussey was the top choice for Apollonia , and Pier Angeli was under consideration for a part , but died before shoot began .
