The Godfather Part III The Rewatchables
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The Godfather Part III

Recasting Couch

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:54Read transcript
  • A replacement for Altobello would need an Italian-American actor of the era with Sinatra-like charisma; Paul Sorvino is unavailable because of Goodfellas.
  • Casting Wallach may echo the Lee Strasberg gamble, but it telegraphs the villain because he has played so many heavies.
  • Dennis Farina, Mickey Rourke and John Turturro were apparently in talks for Zasa.
  • David Caruso as Altobello and the Gilday actor playing every part are joked about.
  • Laura San Giacomo as Mary is restated as an amazing recast.
  • For George Hamilton's part the runners-up are Richard Gere, Harrison Ford and Paul Newman; Newman as Altobello is floated and welcomed as a good spitball, and Newman as Archbishop Gilday gets laughs.
  • The winner for Hamilton's part is William Hurt, called a no-brainer who looks like Duvall and could be Hagen's Harvard son as the new consigliere.
  • Recasting Hagen himself with Hurt is rejected as anti-recasting, and a Hagen son working for Michael is questioned given Michael's record.
  • Keaton's hair is the only other recast.
  • Brando as Altobello is rejected as too distracting, being much older and heavier, though The Freshman is liked.