1982: JACK NICHOLSON on declining THE GODFATHER lead role

"I understand you turned down The Godfather and The Sting?"

Academy Award winning actor Jack Nicholson talks to the BBC's Ian Johnstone about turning down the lead role in The Godfather and working with Marlon Brando.

Clip taken from Film 82 Special: Jack Nicholson, originally broadcast on BBC One, Monday 18 January, 1982.

#bbcarchive #jacknicholson #marlonbrando #thegodfather

[Twinhit]

Nicholson did everyone a favor staying out of Godfather.

[snelgrave]

He had the vision to see what every single movie was going to be like, with or without him, and didn't just go for the money, there's a reason why this man is one of the greatest actors EVER, he knows cinema.

[akiljohnson]

That's a real boss move to know it was gonna be a hit, but have enough integrity to not just chase the bag

[DenkyManner]

He's simultaneously charming and sinister. Answering questions in a perfectly amiable manner but there's an undercurrent that he might switch on you at any second

[daveparsons]

Yes, Jack, you’re correct. Chinatown is an amazing film. My fave actor of all time.

[gordonmorris]

Jack and Marlon in The Missouri Breaks worked great together, an awesome film.

[johndoderino]

His run from easy rider to the shining is unreal, classic after classic

[rosiewells]

He`s my favourite actor, The Shining scared me witless. Love him. One flew over the Cuckoo`s Nest in 1975 Knocked my socks off. Such a talent.

[positivelynegative]

I'm glad he didn't do The Sting. His presence would have been too much. We wouldn't have gotten that beautiful chemistry between Newman & Redford.

[donyellowens]

Props for recognizing that the feature row should go to an Italian actor.

[jacks]

As a sailor and a dude also named Jack, thank you for Last Detail, Mr. Nicholson. One of the best Navy films ever

[dtmrea]

What a gem Jack is. Smart and humble enough not to just take every single role offered to him, but to actually put some thought into whether it's really the best use of his and everyone else's time and resources.

[janerkenbrack]

The Last Detail remains a terrific film. And Chinatown was a masterpiece.

[allanmiller]

Never heard such a reasoned, mature, nuanced, genuine& sincere side of Nicolson...in HIS younger, nascent days & legendary film career!!❤

[joancorr]

I can’t imagine any actors in The Godfather, other than the ones they cast. It was perfection.

[therealisation]

The last detail is just outstanding the more you watch the more you see not just Jack but the support is just fantastic

[Chanelson]

there are so few interviews of this enigmatic man.

[loganx]

Man could’ve been in a highly-acclaimed movie, but part of him turned down the role for the sake of wanting a more Italian person to play it. Coulda hit it big with the role, but he was humble about it. That’s mad respect

[danieljohnson]

The Last Detail is an excellent film. It’s, unfortunately, been forgotten and overlooked by mainstream audiences.

[jamesphillips]

One of my favourite actors of all time, listening to him speak its like he’s on stage as he speaks . Pure natural, just a genius 👌