Al Pacino: Nobody wanted me in 'The Godfather'

Al Pacino sat down with USA TODAY's Bryan Alexander and reveals that he had an uphill battle to be part of 'The Godfather' movie franchise.
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[mattwilliams]

Al Pacino was the perfect choice for Michael. He killed it.

[mishastone]

I never get tired of Al.

He is a legend. He's gonna live forever.

[ryancapper]

The Godfather 1 & 2 are my two favorite movies of all-time, but some of Pacino's other performances in the 70s, 80s, and 90s were just as mind-blowing. I mean you look at him in Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface, Scent of Woman, Heat -- in every one of those roles Pacino just disappears into the character, almost like no other actor I can think of. His voice changes, his speech cadence and accent changes, his posture, his gait and swagger... the guy's a chameleon and an absolute pro.

[josephscaduto]

No one else could've portrayed Michael Corleone. Pacino hit a grand slam as Michael Corleone.

[josephscaduto]

Wow! Great story! Francis Ford Coppola made Al Pacino an offer he couldn't refuse.

[williefinn]

that scene in the cafe when he killed solozzo and mccloskey must be one of the greatest scenes in movie history for acting, tension, dramatics, lighting, atmosphere....after seeing it i became a lover of veal wine italian food. the actor playing solozzo must be one of the scariest guys ever...charming, hypnotic, menacing. but pacino was the man.

[rainbowruby]

Al Pacino suits the character. He's beautiful, innocent, yet has dark aura surrounds him.

[PhantomSavage]

Ironically, I think the only other guy that could have done it was the guy they already got to play Vito in the flashbacks, De Niro, and even then I don't even think he would have portrayed Michael as well and as accurately as Al did.

Michael wasn't a brave, strong headed leading man full of bravado like Robert Redford was, who Paramount wanted for the part. Michael was an extremely calculating and extremely intelligent man that was, by far, the most educated of his brothers (which was his father's wish), and a man that had also seen and fought valiantly in war, one that had seen horrible atrocities and faced extraordinary adversity, thus also making him a man that was calm under extreme pressure and was capable of making hard, deadly decisions very quickly.

Michael looked like he was playing chess in every conversation he ever had, and he radiated an aura of power and danger, not unlike a lion or a tiger or other predator constantly sizing up potential threats and prey. Al performed it masterfully, and I very much doubt many others could have done it as iconic and as excellent as him.

[bobdumawhity]

Al is a cool down to earth guy. Really nice celeb and a legend

[TheBombShhh]

pacino is a boss. how can anyone not like this guy?

[margeshilling]

When I saw the movie in 1972, people left the theatre saying "Who WAS that guy?" I'll never forget that.

[billystpaul]

Pacino was the only true choice for the role Micheal in Godfather I & II. He was born to play that role. Had anyone else done that role, it might of been a lesser film. Coppola cast his movie well. That is why it was and still is the best film ever made.
A complete movie from start to finish. I have seen it many, many times in my life and, I am still enthralled every time
I view it.

[BlueLeopard]

Shallow executives. I'm glad Pacino got the part. Talent won the day.

[Mattnova_]

"When a director really wants you for a part, that means something."

WOW, great message from a master of Hollywood cinema! It strikes a chord in me as well being the longtime aspiring actor that I am.

[LuisGomez-nopi]

wow! Tony Montana is still alive after all those bullets he took.

[discodesanti]

Michael was smarter even than the old man. He had five times his enemies and beat them all. But he lost his soul and his family along the way. Part two is like the Empire Strikes Back.

[__parsa__]

he still has his Tony Montana voice !!

[ferabra]

He sure knows why Francis wanted him to play Michael. Al Pacino was raised in New York by his grandfather, who was an italian inmigrant...from Corleone, Sicily (he revealed it himself on Inside the Actor's studio). Francis knew Al WAS Michael Corleone.

[clementk.]

I have such a deep respect for Al Pacino. I know that he's a great actor and all but when you listen to his interviews you find out that there's a lot of depth to him as a person that can only come from experience in life and in the arts.

[CarlosCruz-llez]

One of the greatest actors along with Robert Deniro of this generation.