It is no news that Sylvester Stallone is considered one of the most legendary and incredibly talented celebrities in Hollywood today. And judging from his multiple accolades including a Golden Globe, two BAFTAs, and three stunning Oscar nods, the actor has attained the title rightly so. But as much as he is acclaimed today, his star talent wasn’t always recognized by the film industry giants, which led to him leaving out on some of his most desired roles.
Like the Mafia role he always wanted and even auditioned for The Godfather but never got just because the casting team for the 1972 crime/mystery blockbuster believed he ‘didn’t look Italian enough’ for any of the roles.
The Godfather Rejected Sylvester Stallone For Not Looking ‘Italian Enough’
Sylvester Stallone may have been half-Italian, having been born to an Italian father and a French and Jewish mother, but he ‘didn’t look Italian enough’ to play even an extra of the 250 (presumably Italian) people in Connie Corleone’s wedding in The Godfather. At least according to the casting team for the film.
As shared by the Rocky star during a guest appearance on Fox & Friends by Fox News in 2022, he was rejected to star in The Godfather because of the same reason, despite desperately wanting to star in a Mafia project.
“For some reason, gangsters have this aura, and I’ve been left out every time,” Stallone explained. “I remember going in to audition for ‘The Godfather’ as an extra, one of 250 people at the wedding. They said I don’t look Italian enough.”
But what’s even more interesting than Stallone being half-Italian and still not bagging an Italian role is the fact that two of The Godfather‘s main cast members, Marlon Brando and James Caan, weren’t even related to the Italian heritage, and yet, were cast in the movie.
Nonetheless, Sylvester Stallone’s dream of starring in a Mafia role finally came true after five decades since the 1972 crime/mystery blockbuster as he went on to star in the lead role of Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi in the superhit one-season television drama, Tulsa King in 2022.
Also Read: Sylvester Stallone Earned Less Than $2000 Per Day For the Most Crucial Hit of His Career
6 Films That Failed To Recognize Sylvester Stallone’s Star Talent
The Godfather might have crushed Sylvester Stallone’s dream of starring in a Mafia movie back in 1972, but the film wasn’t the only one that failed to acknowledge the legendary celebrity’s star talent.
In fact, several other movies abandoned his star power, six of which are listed below:
1. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
While many A-listers turned down the chance to star in the first Star Wars film aka Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope after having failed to recognize its potential, Sylvester Stallone was among those who auditioned for it but ended up getting rejected.
As per reports, the Rambo star was on the laundry list of actors who auditioned for Han Solo. However, Harrison Ford seemed to have better luck than him as he bagged the legendary role with his brilliant acting chops, leaving the rest as history.
2. Superman (1978)
Following the massive success of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone was positioning himself as the next big Hollywood star, the title of which could be achieved–in his eyes–by starring in the 1978 epic film that is considered to have birthed the idea of modern superhero movies: Superman.
Though the role went out to the late Christopher Reeve instead (whose iconic performance still ranks as one of the best Superman portrayals to date), Stallone was turned down for the part because he was–notice the irony here–“too Italian” for the role by Marlon Brando, who had the final say on the finalized cast. No doubt it irritated The Expendables star for a long time.
3. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Although fans probably can’t imagine anyone else as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop than Eddie Murphy, there was a time when tough guy Sylvester Stallone was being considered for the role.
However, the action hero started rewriting the script as he wanted to amp up the action in the movie and tone down the comedy. This increased the budget, thus, showing Stallone the exit door and Murphy the entrance door into the 1984 masterpiece.
4. Witness (1985)
Turns out Han Solo’s role in the first Star Wars movie wasn’t the only role Sylvester Stallone lost out to Harrison Ford, considering how Witness was another film where Ford was given more leverage over Stallone.
Despite being considered for the leading role of John Book in the 1985 thriller/mystery, the role was snatched from the First Blood actor by the iconic Indiana Jones star, whose outstanding performance landed him his first and only Oscar nod in his career thus far.
5. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The 1994 masterpiece Pulp Fiction was reportedly Sylvester Stallone’s first chance to work with Quentin Tarantino. As per reports, he was being considered to play either the role of Vincent Vega or Jules Winnfield in the film.
However, for some reason, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson ended up donning their respective roles instead and performing spectacularly in them.
6. Jackie Brown (1997)
Jackie Brown was another time that Sylvester Stallone had the opportunity to work with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. He was reportedly being considered for the part of Louis Gara in the 1997 crime flick.
But for whatever reasons, Stallone ended up missing out on working with the director for the second time and the role went on to Robert de Niro instead. Another great role slipped down from his hands.
