The path to Hollywood’s influence over the world was paved by the great actors and actresses that brought the art of cinema to life through their exceptional performances. Thus, the name of legendary film star Jack Nicholson will forever remain shining with the rest of the talented individuals who shaped the film industry into the monument of excellence that it is today.
Having been given the opportunity to be part of some of the most influential and revolutionizing pieces of cinematic history, the star has proved why he is to be revered as one of the greatest of all time. But what many might not know is that he was also a man of his beliefs, something that he proved when he declined to star in the most iconic film of all time.
Jack Nicholson Declined The Role Of Michael Corleone Due To His Woke Beliefs!
While the history of cinema may be long and illustrious, only a few have left their mark on it that will last a lifetime. Jack Nicholson, one of the few stars that gained the status of being a legend in the industry has left that mark on history thanks to his performances in masterpieces like The Shining, A Few Good Men, Batman, and many other prolific films in the past, But he could’ve been part of yet another cinematic masterpiece if he hadn’t declined it due to his strong sense of credence.
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During a 2004 interview with Movieline, the As Good As It Gets star opened up about his illustrious career in the Hollywood industry. Here, he also talked about how due to his beliefs that roles of different ethnicities should be played by its natives, he decided to decline the offer to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather, the most critically praised film of all time. He said:
“Back then I believed that Indians should play Indians and Italians should play Italians … There were a lot of actors who could have played Michael, myself included, but Al Pacino was Michael Corleone. I can’t think of a better compliment to pay him.”
Thus, sticking to his admirable and humble beliefs, Nicholson believed that Al Pacino would be the right star to portray the role of the mafioso due to his Italian lineage, and the rest is history.
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What Made The Godfather A Masterpiece?
Considered the Holy Grail of cinematic masterpieces, what made The Godfather such a vital piece of the history of filmmaking was the perfection of every aspect at every step of the narrative down to the last, minute detail. From a complex story that resonated with every member of the audience to the building of the environment to resonate those feelings on the screen with the public through one-of-a-kind cinematography and screenplay are just a few reasons why this film is revered as the best in the world.
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The Godfather, streaming on Peacock.
Source: Movieline
