Al Pacino in 'The Godfather'

[snopes]

Comment: I heard that an unknown Al Pacino was selected by Coppola for the
Godfather because the movie was way over budget and other big name actors
up for the role required too much money. He did the movie for free with a
handshake deal that guaranteed him the sequals.

[Chickee Daizy]

On imdb, it says that he made $35,000 for The Godfather. Who knows with imdb, though?

Originally Posted by Chickee Daizy

On imdb, it says that he made $35,000 for The Godfather. Who knows with imdb, though?

That movie made a lot of money for the time that it came out. He may have had a contract wherein he would not get a salary but a small percentage of profits? Is that working for scale or is "working for scale" something altogether different?

[mouse goddess]

It's my understanding that "working for scale" is working for the union minimum wage.

[chillas]

Originally Posted by mouse goddess

It's my understanding that "working for scale" is working for the union minimum wage.

This is correct.

[RealityChuck]

Was there any evidence that sequels were planned? AFAIK, The Godfather was supposed to be a single film.

According to the IMDB, it looks like Pacino was not the first choice, but he did impress Coppola in auditions.

Pacino would have been an idiot to do the role for free. And I doubt the Screen Actors Guild would have let him do it. He would have had to make scale at the very least.

[Ali Infree]

I seem to recall that since the novel was a huge hit, the movie had a lot of expectations too. Since Michael is the brother who survives and becomes the heir apparent, I think this was considered a plum role that James Caan and several other actors vied to play. Would Pacino had played it for free? I doubt it, but Brando had to audition for his part. THe Godfather helped revive his acting career.

Ali "Don't bet on the headless horse" Infree

[wanderwoman]

The union wouldn't allow him to do it for free, would they? I'm asking, I don't know that much about the union.

[matches]

Originally Posted by wanderwoman

The union wouldn't allow him to do it for free, would they? I'm asking, I don't know that much about the union.

I don't know the rules of SAG at the time, right now however, doing a film for free is usually a no no, however one can get the right to do a film from the union if you submit your request in writing, and it is approved of. In such a situation some other form of compensation is usually required for the actor such as points on the production.

It is possible, but it is far more likely that he would have simply agreed to scale for the film if he wanted to bring the film in underbudget. Openly violating union regulations would have lead to a walk out by the other actors, so it would be unlikely that they would have employed someone against union rules, especially on such a high profile production.

[hoitoider]

Originally Posted by Ali Infree

Since Michael is the brother who survives and becomes the heir apparent, I think this was considered a plum role that James Caan and several other actors vied to play.

Yep - I saw a documentary that included several screen tests. One had James Caan in a dress blue Marine uniform playing Michael. Pretty weird to see in hindsight.

[monkster]

Originally Posted by hoitoider

Yep - I saw a documentary that included several screen tests. One had James Caan in a dress blue Marine uniform playing Michael. Pretty weird to see in hindsight.

Did they show DeNiros screen test for Sonny? Creepy is the only word I can use.

Pacino had his role before Brando did so I doubt the movie was over budget at the time he got the role, at any rate the studio wanted Redford for the part so money clearly wasn't that important.

Also Brando didn't have to audition per se, Copolla always wanted him for the part, the studio required a screen test.

Source: The Godfather Family: A Look Inside

[Ali Infree]

Originally Posted by monkster

Also Brando didn't have to audition per se, Copolla always wanted him for the part, the studio required a screen test.

Source: The Godfather Family: A Look Inside

Ok, so I got it a little wrong...let me make yuz an offer....



Ali "Don Fanuche" Infree