Do the Right Thing The Rewatchables
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Do the Right Thing

Casting What-Ifs

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:29Read transcript
  • The only casting what-if found: Lee campaigned for Robert De Niro to play the pizzeria owner, but De Niro declined due to prior commitments.
  • With De Niro it becomes a different movie about De Niro; it might make more money or get closer to Best Picture, though Aiello's nomination suggests not.
  • De Niro would tip the ensemble's equal balance and bring baggage, so his smashing Radio Raheem's radio might be cheered; it is a morally different movie.
  • Danny Aiello was a 'that guy' at the time, known from Moonstruck with a very small Godfather role and other small parts.