The Unhappy Actors of The Godfather: Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro

The Godfather is one of the most iconic films in cinematic history, and yet, not everyone who appeared in it was entirely satisfied with their roles or the overall experience.

Brando's Disappointment

Marlon Brando was reportedly unhappy with his role in The Godfather. He was dissatisfied with the lack of development for his character and the overall script. More intriguingly, he famously refused to accept the Oscar for best actor, stating his discontent with the portrayal of indigenous people in Hollywood films. This decision was more of a political statement than a personal one and demonstrated Brando's commitment to social and cultural issues. Despite these challenges, his performance was pivotal to the film, and his relationships with his children, especially his son Christian, often kept him away from on-set commitments.

De Niro's Involvement and Rejection

Robert De Niro, known for his extensive career in the film industry, had initial opportunities to join The Godfather but turned them down. During the casting process for the first film, De Niro was considered for the roles of Santino “Sony” Corleone and Michael “Mike” Corleone, but he ultimately chose to decline these offers. Later, when cast for The Godfather II, De Niro’s talent and dedication were recognized, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, where he triumphed. However, his journey with the franchise was not without its ups and downs. When The Godfather III came around, De Niro, known for his integrity and selective approach to roles, decided not to return due to a disagreement over salary negotiations. Despite the prestigious roles he could have played, he prioritized his creative vision and financial fairness.

Other Actors and Their Decisions

While both Brando and De Niro were notably unhappy for different reasons, other actors in the Godfather series faced unique challenges. Richard Castellano, who played Tony "The Consul" Rumfoord in Godfather II, was approached by director Francis Ford Coppola to return for Godfather III. However, Castellano wanted the creative freedom to write his own lines, leading to a disagreement and his eventual absence in the final film. Later, Francis Ford Coppola expressed disappointment at Richard Duvall's decision not to return for The Godfather III, which was due to a salary negotiation issue. Duvall saw it as unfair that Al Pacino, as Michael Corleone, was offered significantly more money, leading to a sense of imbalance in the compensation shared among the cast.

Another notable absence in The Godfather III was Tom Hardy’s interpretation of Tom Hagan, who was an essential part of the original story. This character, if brought back, would have provided a crucial link to the original The Godfather. Instead, George Hamilton took over the role of the slick Corleone Family lawyer, until Duvall’s absence made his character redundant.

Finally, Marlon Brando seemed content with his performance in The Godfather. However, it was interesting to note his subsequent role in The Freshman, where the actor played a parody of his “Don Corleone” character from The Godfather. His performance was well-received, but with second thoughts about the character, he ended up disowning it. Perhaps his dissatisfaction stemmed from feeling that the role in The Freshman was a caricature of his earlier iconic performance.

The filming of The Godfather and its sequels was a complex journey marked by both triumphs and personal conflicts. These stories highlight the intricate dynamics between actors, filmmakers, and the creative process in Hollywood.