This is not the first time that an actor has refused a role in a film that subsequently became cult. But turning down a role in a film as big as “The Godfather” is a completely different matter… and that’s what Jack Nicholson did – without regret!
In second place on IMDb’s list of the 250 best films of all time is The Godfather, which is, even today, one of the most praised works by fans and critics. The Italian gangster epic remains a model in the world of cinema so much so that one would imagine that a role in such a film, even before its success, would be an offer no actor could refuse. And if some, like Sylvester Stallone, were not authorized to act in the film, “not being Italian enough”, another simply refused…
When the film was released in 1972, Jack Nicholson had just found success with Five Easy Pieces and his previous performances had already made him an icon. It is therefore not surprising that Francis Ford Coppola offered him a leading role in his next film, but it is surprising, however, that the actor refused it without hesitation.
SEVERAL OFFERS ON THE TABLE
When later asked why he turned down the role, not only for The Godfather but also for George Roy Hill’s classic with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, The Swindle, he simply replied: “I think I had a sense of business. I know I have business acumen. I knew then that The Last Chore and The Godfather were going to be huge successes.”
However, as he explained, those weren’t the only offers on the table.
At the same time, I think The Last Chore and Chinatown are, for me, the most interesting of the four films.
Released in 1973, Hal Ashby’s Last Chore 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 lesser known, it turned out to be an entertaining adventure with great depth.
As for Roman Polanksi’s crime film Chinatown (1974), starring Faye Dunaway, it is, for some, the greatest film of the 1970s. Nicholson’s choice for these two films is indicative of his attraction to a wide variety of roles.
Paramount Pictures Jack Nicholson in “Chinatown” (1974)
WORK WITH BRANDO
However, there were many more factors at play: “The Godfather was going to be a good movie. I had always wanted to work with Marlon [Brando]but I was asked to play the lead role and a) I thought it should have been an Italian and b) I didn’t have any scenes with Marlon in the script I read, and I thought that I could only work with Marlon once and I hope it could be something when we work together.”
Discover his explanation in original version below:
Four years after the release of Godfather, Jack Nicholson got his wish and starred alongside Marlon Brando in Arthur Penn’s western The Missouri Breaks. Although the film itself unfortunately did not live up to expectations, the quality of their performances and their chemistry is there.
MARLON BRANDO REFUSES HIS OSCAR
In the meantime, Marlon Brando has, for his part, made headlines by refusing the Oscar for best actor for his performance in the skin of Don Corleone. Indeed, on March 27, 1973, to the astonishment of the assembly, he declined the offer and sent Sacheen Littlefeather, a young Apache actress, on stage to refuse the prize in order to protest against the representation of Native Americans in cinema. .
Marlon Brando is explained in this video (in original language):
The initiative of the actor, who has always fought against racial discrimination in the entertainment world, was very controversial, and Sacheen Littlefeather also had to face criticism but still received a standing ovation at the end of her speech 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 Affirmative 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 which I will be happy to read to the press afterwards. It is with regret that he cannot accept this very generous award, due to the way in which American Indians are treated today by the film industry – excuse me – on television and in reruns movies, and because of the recent events at Wounded Knee.
I hope I did not ruin your evening and that in the future our hearts and our vision of things will be united in love and generosity.
Thank you, on behalf of Marlon Brando.”
Check out Sacheen Littlefeather’s speech below:
The Godfather is currently streaming on Paramount+.