The Godfather is one of the most acclaimed and beloved movies of all time, which is arguably best remembered for its impressive ensemble. The Godfather cast featured big names like Marlon Brando as patriarch Don Corleone and also launched many lesser-known stars into the stratosphere. However, there's one particular role that could've gone in a much different direction if Jack Nicholson had joined the franchise.
Anyone who knows anything about film history knows that Michael Corleone was a role made famous by Al Pacino, and in turn, the role did the same for him. But before Al Pacino got the part, Jack Nicholson was notably in the running to play Michael, but he declined the role for a rather progressive reason.
Jack Nicholson's Reason for Not Joining The Godfather Cast
By the time casting for The Godfather was underway, Jack Nicholson had already developed quite a name for himself, with his chance role in Easy Rider quickly putting him on the path to stardom. He read The Godfather script and knew that the film would be a hit, based on the quality of Mario Puzo's novel alone. But even with this enthusiasm for the project, Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone. And his reasoning, as revealed in a 2004 interview with Moveline, was that "Italians should play Italians."
This attitude toward a role was definitely rather progressive for the time, though it showed the direction that Hollywood was moving toward. For decades prior, minority roles were infamously played by Caucasian actors in many times offensive caricatures, keeping even serious movies from portraying these cultures or characters with any respect or dignity.
Potential Castings in The Godfather Series
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Ironically, Robert Redford was at one point considered for the role of Michael, but Coppola stood firm in his belief that no one would buy the light-haired Redford as an Italian. Despite striving for authenticity with choices like Simonetta Stefanelli as Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone, Santino "Sonny" Corleone is played by James Caan, who previously had to inform fans, to their chagrin, that he was not actually Italian. Jack Nicholson's own predominately German and Irish heritage also reflects that of Tom Hagen, who was played by Robert Duvall.
Even though Jack Nicholson missed out on the role of a lifetime in Michael Corleone, the world of entertainment owes him a favor for helping to allow Pacino to get his shine and solidify The Godfather as a landmark film. Thankfully for moviegoers, the call of the Corleone family was one offer that Nicholson proudly refused.