10 Actors Who Took YEARS To Reprise Famous Roles
7. Al Pacino As Michael Corleone
Years to Reprise Role: 16
The Godfather is a considered a classic, for good reason. Released in 1972 the sweeping mafia epic is about Michael, played by Al Pacino, as he tries to navigate joining the family business. Two years later it's sequel dropped, while there was some mixed reviews at the time, it quickly found its way to film greatness. It won Best Picture, and was the first sequel to have done so.
It took 16 years for Al Pacino return and finish Michael's story. The Godfather Part III was released in 1990. The long gap between films was because the series was only meant to be two movies.
Coppola had initially declined making a third film, but financial struggles brought him back to the Godfather franchise. The third film did not reach the acclaim of the first two, but made a respectable $136.8 million and was nominated for several awards including Best Picture.