John Aprea auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone. He was later cast as Tessio in the Godfather II.

Frankie Avalon was considered to play the role of Johnny Fontane.

Anne Bancroft refused Francis Ford Coppola's offer to star as the Corleone family matriarch.

Warren Beatty was considered to play the part of Michael Corleone.

Karen Black auditioned for the female lead role.

Robert Blake was reportedly turned down for a role in The Godfather.

Peter himself claims that Paramount was eager for him to direct a number of their prestigious productions, including "The Godfather" and "Chinatown", but he preferred to develop his own films.

Peter Marshall said (on Hollywood Squares) that Borgnine auditioned for the lead role of Vito Corleone.

Jill Clayburgh was the first actress to test for the role of Michael Corleone's wife. At the time she was Al Pacino's girlfriend.

DeNero read for the parts of both Sonny and Michael Corleone, but he would not be cast until Godfather II as Vito.

Turned down a chance to write the screenplay, because he didn't want to glamorise the Mafia. Goldman did in fact love the novel.

Offered the part of Michael Corleone.

Lancaster lost the role of Vito Corleone to Marlon Brando.

Director Sergio Leone was offered the chance to direct but he did not care for the story.

Director Francis Ford Coppola considered casting Ali MacGraw in the role of Kay Corleone.

Steve McQueen auditioned for the role of Tom Hagen.

Paul Newman auditioned for the role of Tom Hagen.

Offered the part of Michael Corleone but declined.

Ryan O'Neal was considered for the role of Michael Corleone.

Jennifer O'Neill auditioned for the part of Kay.

Considered for the role of Vito Corleone.

Anthony Perkins auditioned for the roles of Tom Hagen and Sonny Corleone.

Elvis Presley was a fan of Mario Puzo's novel and wanted to play the part of Tom Hagen.

Quinn was among several actors cosidered for the role of Vito Corleone before they settled on Brando

The studio wanted Redford for the role of Michael Corleone.

Reynolds was considered to play Michael Corleone. Some people say he was actually cast but Marlon Brando wouldn't act along side him.

Sheen auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone. Sheen was in Coppola's "Apocalypse Now."

Cybill Shepherd auditioned for the part of Kay.

Sinatra lobbied hard for the role of Don Vito Corleone but Coppola & company wanted an actor with a "bigger" screen presence to fill the larger-than-life role.

Rod Steiger campaigned for the role of Michael Corleone, even though he was too old for the part.

The studio was pressuring Coppolla to use a name actor for the role of Vito Corleone, and Danny Thomas was reportedly the first choice.

Orson Welles was considered for the role of Vito Corleone.