20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Godfather
11. The Studio Didn't Want Al Pacino
Since Michael Corleone is the lead of The Godfather, it's no surprise that the producers wanted a big star in the role to help sell the movie. Warren Beatty, Martin Sheen, and Burt Reynolds all auditioned but proved unsuccessful. Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman were offered the role but they both refused. Production chief Robert Evans pushed for Robert Redford but Francis Ford Coppola wasn't interested.
After looking at thousands of actors, Coppola finally cast Al Pacino, who was virtually unknown at the time. The producers were furious, believing Pacino's screen test was atrocious. But after seeing Pacino's electrifying performance in The Panic in Needle Park, the studio decided gave him a chance.