“I didn’t want to go”: Al Pacino’s Breakout Role in The Godfather Came At a Hefty Cost To the Actor, Claimed He Regretted the Decision Every Day

Al Pacino may be known for a great many roles but the one that stands out the most is that of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather trilogy. Out of the works that he has done, many have gotten him awards and many have helped in increasing his fame to a legendary level. Had it not been for Marlon Brando’s film, he would have barely had any of it.

Much like a lot of actors, there are times when they miss out on some of the biggest roles, not thinking much of it. There are also instances when they take roles without realizing how big they would get. Both these cases were true for Pacino, well, almost. That is to say, Pacino almost rejected Coppola.

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Al Pacino Never Wanted to be in The Godfather

In the eyes of Francis Ford Coppola, there was no better Michael Corleone than Al Pacino. The actor knew that too, but he did not like just how many times he was asked to audition for the role. As per IMDb, there was no way in which he would play the role if they didn’t really want him in the first place.

“Francis [Ford Coppola] knew I could do the part, and so did I. But he kept asking me to test again and again. I didn’t want to go. I don’t go where I’m not wanted. Once I got the role, I was waking up at four or five in the morning and going into the kitchen to brood over [it].”

Coppola had apparently called the actor over so many times that Pacino almost became certain that he wouldn’t do the role. So much so that he was sure he wouldn’t even go to audition for it anymore if he was asked to test again and again.

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Al Pacino Regretted Getting the Role

Al Pacino, when he got the role, was not fond of it. Despite getting so much fame from it afterward, the entire process of filming the movie had been nothing but him brooding in his kitchen because of how much he had to work for it.

According to him, he understood whether or not he was specifically wanted for the role and having to do so much for one role did not sit well with him. He would find himself awake early in the morning engulfed with sorrow because of how much he regretted the role.

Also Read: Original Plan for The Godfather Was to Cast Captain America 2 Star, Not Al Pacino – Real Reason it Never Happened

Source: IMDb