I always felt he was wrong for the part.His career was going down hill at the time so I can't understand why he was selected.To me he just seemed like a senile fool. I heard that other actors were offered or were considered for the part but I am not sure who. How about Ernest Borgnine or Danny Thomas ?

Here's an interesting article about the casting of Brando.


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ma...-kleenex-990744

At one time studio heads wanted Danny Thomas for the role because he had his own production company and they were hoping he would join in on the business end of the project.

In a 25th anniversary re-release of GF (on VHS), Mario Puzo said in the introduction that he had heard that Danny Thomas was going to buy Paramount Pictures so he could star as Don Corleone. "I was disturbed by that," Puzo said. He said he wanted Brando, got Brando's address from his agent, and sent him a copy of the script. According to Puzo, Brando said he was interested, but wanted to wait to see who was named director.

Brando's name was mud in Hollywood at the time. Gulf + Western Industries, which owned Paramount, didn't want to touch him with a 10 foot pole. After Puzo and Coppola kept insisting, they agreed, but only if Brando took a screen test and posted a cash bond to guarantee that he wouldn't cost the studio more money in overtime and no-shows.

I know it's hard to be objective in retrospect,especially with what has come to be an iconic performance by Brando,but could you imagine Danny Thomas as Vito? I always have 2 associations with Thomas in my mind: 1) Make room for Daddy,and 2) The alien on a dream sequence episode on the Dick Van Dyke show.

Exactly! Also, how about Uncle Tonoose as Consigliere?

Brando gave one of the greatest performances ever!

Danny Thomas as Vito? Surely you jest. Danny Thomas was just too likable to play a mobster. I had my doubts about Brando taking the part. When I first saw the film in the theater, and Brando first appeared, there was a tremendous wow that come over the audience. We knew he nailed it.