It’s robust to image anybody aside from Marlon Brando because the notorious Don Corleone in The Godfather. His portrayal of the mob boss turned legendary, along with his iconic voice, bodily transformation, and people unforgettable mannerisms. However, as with most issues in Hollywood, The Godfather wasn’t with out its behind-the-scenes drama.
Brando virtually didn’t get the function, regardless of Mario Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola combating tooth and nail to get him within the half. Paramount Studios needed another person, and a slew of different stars, a few of them not even actors, had been thought-about for the function. Think about The Godfather with a totally completely different Don! The battle for Corleone virtually was a Hollywood showdown, however ultimately, Brando’s check reel had everybody consuming out of his hand, securing his place in cinematic historical past.
1. Charles Bronson
Charles Bluhdorn, the Paramount CEO with no cinematic background, thought Charles Bronson was the proper alternative for Don Corleone. Bronson was an enormous star due to The Magnificent Seven and The Soiled Dozen. However, whereas he excelled at gritty epics, his tough-guy persona wouldn’t have captured the refined depth of Corleone’s character. Paramount needed him, however Coppola and Puzo had different concepts. Think about a Bronson-led Godfather, the depth would’ve been turned up, however with much less simmer and extra explosion. A distinct mafia, certainly!
2. Richard Conte
Richard Conte, along with his Italian-American roots and expertise in noir movies, appeared like a pure decide for Don Corleone. Although he didn’t land Vito’s function, he made his mark as a rival mafia don, Emilio Barzini. His sharp seems and background in dramatic roles gave him the mafia credibility, however Paramount executives thought he wasn’t the “massive title” the film wanted. Nonetheless, Conte’s clean however sneaky portrayal of Barzini reveals he might’ve had a shot at Corleone if the winds had blown otherwise.
3. Laurence Olivier
Legendary actor Laurence Olivier was thought-about for Don Corleone, however his agent shot down the chance, claiming he was too ailing. We’ll by no means know whether or not it was a scheduling battle or a real well being concern. Think about Olivier’s gravitas and methodical supply. Whereas Brando’s method was extra uncooked and unpredictable, Olivier would’ve introduced a refined class to the function. The world of The Godfather would’ve been way more buttoned-up if Olivier had taken on the notorious Don.
4. Carlo Ponti
Carlo Ponti, the well-known film producer, wasn’t even an actor, however he had Italian roots and a connection to Paramount executives. He was steered for the function of Don Corleone based mostly on his “paternal” qualities, and, frankly, his private ties to Hollywood’s elite. He could have had the fitting “vibe” based on studio heads, however Ponti’s true expertise lay behind the digicam. He wasn’t meant to be Vito, fortunately, he stepped apart and helped create the circumstances for Brando to embody the function.
5. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll needed a chunk of Hollywood’s crown. In 1971, Elvis Presley set his sights on The Godfather, hoping to play Vito Corleone. Sure, Elvis. Although he was determined for a severe function, Brando’s path to the half wasn’t simple to knock down. Presley’s audition was rumored to be extra of a pleasant gesture than an actual shot on the function. He ultimately bought the prospect to audition for Tom Hagen, however whether or not he ever took it’s anybody’s guess. Corleone, meet the King.
6. Anthony Quinn
Oscar-winner Anthony Quinn was no stranger to taking part in Italian characters, so he appeared like a logical alternative for Don Corleone. However his robust, imposing display presence might’ve clashed with Brando’s extra refined, introspective tackle the function. Quinn had the appearing chops to tug it off, he was a two-time Academy Award winner in any case, however his portrayal of mob bosses in movies like The Don Is Lifeless was extra fiery, much less restrained. If Coppola had gone with Quinn, the Corleone household would possibly’ve had a fiercer patriarch.
7. George C. Scott
George C. Scott, recognized for his function in Patton, was one other actor thought-about for Corleone. His tough-guy persona and no-nonsense supply made him a pure for mafia roles, however his efficiency would’ve been an entire completely different beast. Brando’s vulnerability and emotional depth introduced one thing distinctive to Corleone that Scott, although good, won’t have been capable of replicate. Think about Scott’s depth within the function, which is extra blunt drive trauma than simmering menace. Nonetheless, Scott’s Oscar win in Patton proved his dramatic vary.
8. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra lobbied exhausting to play Don Corleone, and it’s simple to see why: he had the Italian-American background, the celebrity, and the mob connections. He even requested director Coppola instantly. However whereas Sinatra could have appeared the half, Coppola wasn’t satisfied. Sinatra bought a comfort prize as Johnny Fontaine, a personality loosely based mostly on his personal life, however he hated the portrayal. In actual fact, he disliked The Godfather a lot that he refused to look in The Godfather Half III. Speak about a mobster meltdown.
9. Raf Vallone
Italian actor Raf Vallone, recognized for his function in The Italian Job, was thought-about for Don Corleone, however his lack of main English-speaking roles labored in opposition to him. He was a seasoned actor in Italy, however American audiences didn’t know him as nicely. Vallone ultimately bought a task in The Godfather Half III as Pope John Paul I, however by no means bought his shot on the function of Vito. His dream of taking part in the patriarch in The Godfather didn’t materialize, however he did make a mark within the franchise, albeit a lot later.
10. Orson Welles
Orson Welles, the mastermind behind Citizen Kane, wasn’t shy about desirous to play Don Corleone. He even personally instructed Mario Puzo that the function ought to be his. Together with his commanding presence and deep voice, Welles actually had the gravitas to play Corleone. However Brando’s transformation into the character was simply too iconic to overshadow. Although Welles by no means bought the half, it’s enjoyable to consider what might need been. His model of Vito would’ve been much more theatrical, however would it not have been as memorable? Onerous to say.
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