'The Offer': How Marlon Brando transformed into Vito Corleone to nail 'The Godfather' audition
The new episode of ‘The Offer’ is now available to watch on Paramount Plus. The miniseries focuses on the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during the production of 'The Godfather' in the 1970s.
Even though ‘The Godfather’ is one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood history, it was far from an easy production. The tumultuous production of 'The Godfather' is the focus of Michael Tolkin's 'The Offer', with a fantastic cast led by Miles Teller who plays producer Al Ruddy. ‘The Offer’ portrays all the challenges during the film's development including threats from the mafia, and casting issues. Episode 4 reveals Marlon Brando was not supposed to be part of the film. Paramount studios were against casting Brando and called him toxic and washed-up. So how did Brando get the green signal from the studio and went on to play the iconic Vito Corleone for which he received critical acclaim as well as an Academy Award? Scroll down to find out.
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Episode 4 details how Paramount Pictures were not in favor of hiring Brando. The actor already had a toxic reputation for being difficult to work with. Moreover, all his movies in the 1960s were failures at the box office. He seemed more like box-office poison than the cultural icon he would later become and the studio was not willing to take the chance. Paramount studio boss Robert Evans (Matthew Goode) is even seen telling Al Ruddy (Miles Teller) not to waste his time on Brando. However, what changed the game for the studio was when they saw his audition tape.
In the episode titled 'The Right Shade of Yellow', we meet Brando played by Justin Chambers. He meets Al Ruddy, Mario Puzo, and Coppola to discuss the film and mentions to them his recent failures, decrying how his critics describe him as 'burned out Brando'. During the meeting, the actor also reveals that he only agreed to play the part of Vito Corleone because Frank Sinatra hated ‘The Godfather,’ and the duo has a personal feud.
Later, we see him give his audition as the mafia patriarch where he makes changes to his appearance. In real life, Brando, who was in his late 40s, would be playing a man 20 years older. To prepare, he untied his blond ponytail and used shoe polish to darken his hair. He also put tissue paper in his mouth to give himself jowls, and he spoke with a weak mumbling voice because the character’s backstory included being shot in the throat. The episode gives a glimpse of how Marlon Brando transforms into the mafia patriarch and leaves Al Ruddy and Coppola (Dan Fogler) speechless. Ruddy shows the audition tape to the studio heads. Paramount was convinced and Brando was offered the role of mafia don Vito Corleone.
Episode 4 of 'The Offer' is available on Paramount+.