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When discussing legendary casting decisions in cinematic history, Robert De Niro’s involvement in The Godfather series deserves a spotlight of its own. Director Francis Ford Coppola’s admiration for De Niro and the actor’s powerful portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II not only catapulted him into the stratosphere of acting greatness but also marked a pivotal moment in cinematic history.
But De Niro’s story with The Godfather didn’t start with him winning an Oscar, it began with a rejected audition. Years later, that same audition would influence a casting decision that forever changed the course of De Niro’s career.
Robert De Niro’s Unforgettable Audition for The Godfather
WhileThe Godfathercast became a lineup of iconic performances, many don’t know thatRobert De Nirooriginally auditioned for the role of Sonny Corleone, the brash, impulsive son of Vito Corleone, played by James Caan.
De Niro’s performance in that audition was so compelling that it stayed with Coppola long after the casting decisions were made. As perreportsfrom Far Out, during a Q&A session ahead of the New York premiere of Megalopolis,Francis Ford Coppolarecalled how the audition left him stunned. In the audition tape released on the director’s YouTube channel, you’re able to see just how brilliant De Niro is!
He had an unforgettable audition for Sonny Corleone that was so in advance of what I could even imagine because he really nailed that kind of guy.
Despite losing the role to Caan, De Niro left a mark that would impact Coppola’s casting decisions later on. The filmmaker was so impressed by De Niro’s skill that he offered him the part of Paulie Gatto, a role that De Niro turned down. But at the time, De Niro felt the character wasn’t substantial enough for him to accept.
I never forgot that [audition], and that’s one of the reasons why I went at this daunting opportunity to have him play the Vito Corleone part that had been made so famous by Marlon [Brando]. I thought I would do the outrageous and have someone other than Marlon play the role.
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Choosing an actor other than Brando to embody the younger version of such a legendary character was a bold move, but one that Coppola felt De Niro was more than capable of handling.
Robert De Niro’s Vito Corleone and Oscar Gold
InThe Godfather Part II, Robert De Niro brought an entirely new dimension to the character of Vito Corleone, offering a deep and nuanced portrayal of the young man who would grow into one of cinema’s most feared and revered mob bosses. De Niro’s performance was subtle, yet powerful, painting Vito as both a calculating mastermind and a loving family man.
The actor’s dedication to the role was evident, even learning to speak Sicilian fluently to ensure an authentic representation of the character. Francis Ford Coppola, who was initially taking a gamble by casting De Niro as young Vito, couldn’t have been more pleased with the result. The film itself became a milestone in cinematic history, and De Niro’s performance was a significant part of its success.
His portrayal earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1975, making Vito Corleone the first character to win two separate Oscars,Marlon Brandohaving won Best Actor for his portrayal inThe Godfather.
Marlon Brando: ‘He worships at the temple of his own narcissism’ on One Actor Who Almost Made Him Quit The Godfather in Rage
From De Niro’s memorable audition for the role of Sonny Corleone to his Oscar-winning performance as the young Vito, his involvement inThe Godfatherseries is a testament to his incredible talent and Francis Ford Coppola’s visionary casting choices.
You can watch all three parts ofThe Godfatheron Paramount+
Sonika Kamble
Articles Published :1195
Sonika Kamble is an entertainment writer at Fandomwire, covering everything from timeless classics to newly released movies. With over 1000+ articles published, she delves into breakdowns, think pieces, speculations, and more.She enjoys connecting the dots and covering newfound angles about characters, scenes, and themes from movies directed by Scorsese, Fincher, Tarantino, Linklater, and other exceptional filmmakers.
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casting choicesFrancis Ford CoppolaInterviewMarlon BrandoRobert De NiroThe GodfatherThe Godfather IIVito Corleone
