Marlon Brando was a veteran actor who left an indelible mark on the film industry with his incredible performances throughout his career. Among the various roles he portrayed, he is best known for his iconic portrayal in the 1972 film, The Godfather. His Oscar-winning performance as Vito Corleone was so impeccable that it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.
Surprisingly, despite being the first choice of the film’s creators, Paramount Studios initially resisted casting Brando due to his temperamental behavior. Moreover, Brando himself initially dismissed the iconic role due to creative differences.
Marlon Brando initially rejected the iconic role in The Godfather
Of all his film projects, Brando’s appearance as Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film The Godfather stands out as the most memorable role of his entire career. The film is an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s bestselling 1969 novel of the same name. According to Vanity Fair, when Puzo wrote the book, he envisioned Brando in the role of Don Corleone. When it came time to adapt the novel into a film, he approached Brando to portray the character. Puzo wrote a letter to him, stating,
“Dear Mr. Brando, I wrote a book called THE GODFATHER which has had some success and I think you’re the only actor who can play the Godfather with that quiet force and irony (the book is an ironical comment on American society) the part requires.”
While Puzo was adamant that Brando should play the character in the film adaptation of his novel, Paramount Studios was initially reluctant to consider him for the role. The main reason for the studio’s rejection of Brando was his history of displaying unconventional behavior on set, which did not sit well with anyone. The film’s producer, Robert Evans, went so far as to refer to Brando as “dead as could be.”
Amidst all this chaos, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola was hired to direct the movie, and he, too, strongly recommended casting Brando for the role. However, surprisingly, when Brando was offered the role, he rejected it, claiming, “I’m not a Mafia Godfather … I’m not going to glorify the Mafia.”
However, by that time, Coppola had convinced the studios to hire Brando for the role under certain conditions, and eventually, both studios and Brando got on the same page. And that’s how we got one of the greatest cinematic gangster characters in history.
Marlon Brando aced the role of Don Corleone
One of the conditions set for Marlon Brando before taking on the role was that he had to undergo a screen test. However, due to Brando’s temperamental nature, Francis Ford Coppola, the director, was very apprehensive about conducting this test. Eventually, Brando’s secretary convinced him to read the novel, and he became enthusiastic about the role.
For the screen test, Coppola proposed a practice session to help Brando prepare for his role. This session took place at Brando’s house, where Coppola brought along cigars, wine, and Italian snacks as props to create the right atmosphere. Brando showcased his talent in front of Coppola, who was genuinely impressed. Coppola recalled,
“Slightly, from a low angle, I filmed him holding a glass of wine in one hand and a cigar in the other, going through animated gestures… Francis was videotaping at the same time. At one point, Brando dipped the end of the cigar into the wine. The phone rang unexpectedly. Brando calmly picked it up, staying in character, and mumbled a few words as if talking to someone on the other end of the line. Then he hung up and continued his pantomime.”
Coppola’s keen eye for perfection and his faith in Brando paid off handsomely. Brando not only excelled in the role but also made a significant contribution to the 1972 cult classic film.
Source: Vanity Fair
