Al Pacino has revealed that he came close to being dropped from the very role that ultimately defined his career.
The legendary actor made the shocking revelation in his memoir “Sunny Boy,” which was released on October 8th. Page 6. He said the studio wanted him out of the iconic role of Michael Corleone, the son of a mob boss, but didn’t want him to play the character in the first place. Pacino claimed that those in power had their eyes on Ryan O’Neal, Robert Redford, or Warren Beatty.
American actor Al Pacino sits in an armchair promoting the film The Godfather Part II (1974). Pacino starred as “Don Michael Corleone” in Francis Ford Coppola’s mafia drama. (Photo courtesy of Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Fans can thank director Francis Ford Coppola for hunting down Pacino and saving him.
According to Page Six, Pacino said in his memoir that problems arose with the studio about a week and a half into filming. He further added that Paramount was dissatisfied with his performance and Coppola took him to a restaurant to discuss the issue.
Coppola told Pacino, “Do you know how much you mean to me and how much trust I had in you?” Well, you don’t cut it.
Pacino recalled telling Coppola that he was intentionally underplaying his character.
“My idea was that this guy would come out of nowhere,” Pacino wrote in his book.
Al Pacino in a scene from the movie The Godfather Part II, 1974. (Photo courtesy of Paramount/Getty Images)
“That was the power of this characterization. The only way this could work was the emergence of this person, the discovery of his abilities and potential,” he wrote, according to Page Six.
Coppola ultimately saved Pacino by rushing the filming of the famous restaurant shooting scene, but only to “give doubters back in Hollywood an incentive to believe in me and stay in the picture.” “It was,” Pacino said.
According to Page Six, the famous actor did not say whether Coppola had filmed the scene specifically for him, but he credits Coppola with being the reason he stayed on. It has been revealed that.
“They knew I was going through a difficult time. They knew I felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders and the ax could fall on me at any moment… Sterling and Al Lettieri kept my morale up. They set a goal and were role models for me,” Pacino said.
“They kept me in the movie because of the scene I just played.” (Related: Al Pacino reveals he almost died)
Pacino is nominated His performance in this film has since become synonymous with his successful Hollywood career.
Most would agree that it would be difficult for someone else to play this role.
