The Godfather: Why Jack Nicholson Turned Down One of the Greatest Movies of All Time

Second on IMDb’s list of the 250 greatest films of all time is The Godfather, which is still one of the most praised works by fans and critics. The Italian gangster epic remains so much a model in the world cinema that one imagines that a role in such a film, even before success, will be an offer that no actor can refuse. And if some, like Sylvester Stallone, were not given the opportunity to act in the film, “he was not Italian enough”, the other simply refused…

When the film was released in 1972, Jack Nicholson had just hit it big with Five Easy Pieces and his previous performances had already made him an icon. Therefore, it is not surprising that Francis Ford Coppola offered her the main role in the next film, but it is surprising that the actress refused it without hesitation.

Several offers on the table

When later asked why he turned down the role, not only godfather But in George Roy Hill’s classic with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Rogue, he simply replied: “I guess I had a sense of business. I know I have business acumen. I knew then that “The Last Deed” and “The Godfather” would be a great success.“

However, as he explained, this was not the only offer on the table.

At the same time, I think The Last Chore and Chinatown are the most interesting of the four films for me.

Released in 1973, Hal Ashby’s last installment starred Nicholson as a Navy officer tasked with taking a young delinquent to prison, but along the way he decides to treat him to one last wild night of freedom. Although the film is little known, it turned out to be an entertaining adventure with great depth.

As for Roman Polanx’s crime film Chinatown (1974), starring Faye Dunaway, it is considered by some to be the best film of the 1970s. Nicholson’s choice of these two films is indicative of his appeal to a wide variety of roles.

Work with Brando

However, there were many other factors: “The Godfather would be a good movie. I’ve always wanted to work with Marlon, but I was asked to play the lead role and a) I thought he should be Italian and b) I didn’t have any scenes with Marlon in the script, I read it and I thought I could only work with Marlon once and I hope it can be something when We will work together.“

Discover its definition in the original language below:

Four years after the release godfather, Jack Nicholson He got his wish and starred alongside Marlon Brando in the Arthur Penn western The Missouri Breaks. Although the film unfortunately did not live up to expectations, the quality of their performances and their chemistry is there.

• He was an unmistakable actor: every film in which he appeared was nominated for an Oscar

Marlon Brando refuses an Oscar

Meanwhile, Marlon Brando In turn, he made headlines by turning down an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in The Skin of Don Corleone. Indeed, on March 27, 1973, to the astonishment of the assembly, he rejected the offer and sent the young Apache actor Sachin Littlefeather on stage to refuse the prize to protest the portrayal of Native Americans in film.

Marlon Brando Explained in this video (in original language):

The initiative of the actor, who always fought against racial discrimination in the world of entertainment, was very controversial and Sacheen Littlefeather He also had to face criticism, but still received a standing ovation at the end of his performance on stage, which you can read below.

“Good evening. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I am Apache and I am the chair of the National Native American Positive Image Committee.

I am representing Marlon Brando at this event, and he asked me to send you a very long speech, which I cannot share with you now due to lack of time, but I would be happy to read it to the press later. It’s a shame he can’t receive this very generous award because of the way American Indians are treated today by the movie industry – excuse me – on television and in reruns, and because of the recent events at Wounded Knee.

I hope I didn’t spoil your evening and that in the future our hearts and our visions will unite in love and generosity.

Thank you, on behalf of Marlon Brando.“

Watch Sacheen Littlefeather’s speech below:

The Godfather is currently airing on Paramount+.