Have you ever thought about what it feels like to be part of something legendary yet somehow stand apart from its central narrative? Diane Keaton felt like a fish out of water in the male-dominated world of Francis Ford Coppola’s classic 1972 epic crime film The Godfather.
The Oscar-winning actress, 78, was once unfiltered about a memory that’s as raw as it is real: feeling like an “outcast” while working in Coppola’s cinematic tour de force, The Godfather. Notwithstanding the enormous success of the movie and her own remarkable performance, Keaton’s role in the film alongside actors like Al Pacino strengthened her place in cinematic history.
However, she never felt more important on set than her co-stars in this film. The Francis Ford Coppola film was inspired by the same-titled Mario Puzo 1969 novel, which had already garnered a sizable fan base.
Diane Keaton’s Untold Experience as an ‘Outcast’ in The Godfather
The Godfather, released in 1972, was one of Diane Keaton’s biggest hits. The actress eventually portrayed the second wife of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, in Francis Ford Coppola’s critically acclaimed flick. With between $250 and $291 million in box office revenue, it was the highest-grossing movie of 1972 (Box Office Mozo).
In an interview with People, Keaton did admit, though, that she knew very little about the original script for The Godfather:
“I think the kindest thing that someone’s ever done for me … is that I got cast to be in The Godfather and I didn’t even read itt. I didn’t know a single thing. I just was going around auditioning. I think that was amazing for me. And then I had to kind of read the book.”
Keaton could not help but feel fortunate to have landed a role in one of the most coveted movies. Even though she was grateful for the chance, she had some criticism about the film after all. In Keaton’s opinion, The Godfather was primarily a male-driven film that focused minimally on its female characters. She once shared with CBS News:
“That phase was not so much a professional experience…But you know, those were just Francis'[Ford Coppola] really. I think of those as Francis’ really. I also think that The Godfather was not really where — I didn’t shine in The Godfather. You know, it wasn’t really about a woman…And I remember feeling like an outcast, the outcast.”
Despite her apprehensions, Keaton’s performance as Kay Adams in The Godfather was lauded by audiences. The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990) were the sequels that followed it.
Diane Keaton’s Key Role in Al Pacino’s Casting in The Godfather
Al Pacino is regarded as one of The Godfather’s greatest actors. However, he was not originally considered for the part. In fact, Diane Keaton revealed that she won her role before Pacino did. Not too long ago, the actress informed Entertainment Tonight:
“Nobody wanted Al Pacino. They didn’t want him to play that part, and I had already been cast. I had been cast before Al Pacino in Godfather 1! Is this not weird?”
The film studio did not seem to warm up to Pacino until he gave it another shot as Keaton added:
“So I was standing there and they brought him up when I was standing there and we worked together in front of [the producers], and they gave him the job. Do you believe that?”
Meanwhile, Pacino disclosed in an interview with USA Today that the director, Francis Ford Coppola, had always wanted him to play Michael Corleone. The former did not mind being passed over for the role, but Coppola would not let the actor leave.
“I finally was saying to him, ‘Francis, it’s fine. I’ll survive, I’ll do other stuff.’ He really wanted me.”
The movie took home the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Also, despite feeling like she didn’t quite belong, Keaton proved that a woman’s presence can be just as significant and powerful in a male-driven story.
The Godfather is streaming on FuboTV.
