Al Pacino reveals behind-the-scene stories of 'The Godfather', says he 'didn't believe' he was cast

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Al Pacino shared his personal stories and insights from his six-decade career, including the life-changing moment when he was cast as Michael Corleone in 'The Godfather' in his highly-anticipated memoir 'Sonny Boy'.

Pacino recalled when he was far from a household name and how director Francis Ford Coppola fought against the studio’s wishes to cast him in the role that would define his career in Hollywood.

Al Pacino's 'The Godfather' entry

Al Pacino was primarily known for his theater work at the time, and Paramount Pictures had different plans for Michael Corleone.

Big names like Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, and Ryan O’Neal were all considered for the role of the son of mob boss Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando.

However, Coppola saw something in Pacino that the studio did not, and his persistence eventually paid off, leading to one of the most legendary performances in cinema history.

Pacino recounts the surreal experience of being offered the role of Michael Corleone in an exclusive excerpt from his memoir 'Sonny Boy'.

After his initial meeting with Coppola in San Francisco, where they spent several days discussing the director’s vision, the actor thought he would never hear from him again.

Months later, Pacino received an unexpected phone call from Coppola, who was now attached to direct 'The Godfather'.

“Francis said he wanted me to play Michael Corleone,” recalled Pacino.

“I started doubting whether he was on the phone at all. Maybe I was the one going through a nervous breakdown,” he added.

Al Pacino reveals how he overcame studio rejection

Despite the studio’s initial rejection of Al Pacino and other cast members, including Robert Duvall, James Caan, and even Marlon Brando, Coppola’s vision ultimately prevailed for the classic gangster movie.

His portrayal of Michael Corleone became one of the most memorable performances in film history, with 'The Godfather' going on to win multiple Academy Awards.

The actor was stunned that Coppola would offer him such an important part directly, bypassing the usual channels like agents and managers in Hollywood.

Paramount Pictures was initially resistant, preferring more established stars.

However, Coppola was determined to have Pacino play the role.

Al Pacino's family connection to Michael Corleone

In his memoir, Al Pacino also recalled how he told his grandmother about being cast in 'The Godfather'.

Her response revealed a personal connection to the role that Pacino had not known that his grandfather was born in Corleone, Sicily, the very town that the fictional Corleone family in the film hailed from.

Reflecting on the connection, Pacino wrote, “I thought, I must be getting help from somewhere."

“How else could such an impossible thing — me getting the role — happen in the first place?” he added, according to People.

Sonny Boy, set to release on October 15, offers readers a close look at Pacino’s personal and professional journey from an unknown theater actor to becoming a Hollywood legend.