Al Pacino had quite the journey while filming The Godfather, and it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He opened up about a surprising injury he sustained on set that made him truly grateful. During an intense scene, things went a little sideways, leaving him with a reminder of just how intense the filming experience could get.
Instead of letting the mishap get him down, Pacino felt a wave of appreciation wash over him. That moment pushed him to embrace the craft and the incredible team around him. He knew he was part of something legendary, and this injury only deepened his connection to the role. Talk about a twist of fate that left him thankful for the experience!
A Twist of Fate: How an Injury Shaped Al Pacino’s Iconic Role in The Godfather
Al Pacino once had a moment on the set of The Godfather that made him thank the heavens—literally. While filming the iconic crime drama, Pacino hoped an injury would grant him a ticket out of the movie. He played Michael Corleone, the reluctant son of crime boss Vito Corleone, portrayed by Marlon Brando. Since its release in 1972, The Godfather’s been hailed as a cinematic masterpiece, but Pacino’s journey was anything but smooth.
During a candid chat on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Pacino revealed that director Francis Ford Coppola wasn’t thrilled with his performance. After reviewing some footage, he thought the execution wasn’t really spectacular, as he aimed to make Michael blend into the background. But everything changed during a pivotal scene at a restaurant where Michael executes Virgil Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey.
Without a stunt double, Pacino slipped while trying to jump into a moving car, injuring his ankle. His pain turned into an unexpected prayer for freedom from the project. He spilled the beans about his injury:
My ankle was hurt, somehow it slipped. The car had one of those things that you could jump on and then jump in. So I was just looking up at the sky and I said, ‘Thank you, God.’ This was my thought. I actually said, ‘Thank you God. You’re gonna get me out of this film.’ That’s how much I wanted to leave it. I said, ‘This is from heaven.
But fate had other plans. Crew members rallied around him, injecting his ankle so he could continue filming that day. That decision proved crucial for the film’s narrative. Until then, Michael was mostly a bystander in the family business. After this scene, he began his transformation into the crime lord he was destined to be, solidifying Pacino’s role as the heart of The Godfather Trilogy.
Ultimately, that injury became a pivotal moment that shaped the story, reminding us how powerful fate can be in cinema.
Al Pacino’s Shrek Phone Case: A Fun Family Story Goes Viral
![Al Pacino in The Godfather II [Credit Paramount Pictures]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23050012/Al-Pacino-in-The-Godfather-II-Credit-Paramount-Pictures-1024x576.jpeg "Al Pacino on His ‘The Godfather’ Injury That Made Him Thank the Heavens: ‘That’s how much I wanted to leave it’ 5")
Al Pacino went viral for sporting a Shrek phone case while promoting his memoir, Sonny Boy. When BBC correspondent Colin Paterson remarked, “Of all the things Al Pacino would have on his phone cover, I was not expecting Shrek,” the 84-year-old actor chuckled and shared the story behind it.
Pacino revealed that his youngest daughter, Olivia, had borrowed his phone and returned it adorned with the whimsical case. “She said, ‘It’s Shrek, Dad!’ I said, ‘Shrek? Wow. Okay babe, I’ll hold onto it,’” he recalled.
Pacino’s proudly used the Shrek case for over two years, originally spotted in a photo with Jason Momoa back in April 2022. He was blissfully unaware of its viral fame until recently, showing that even icons like him can embrace a bit of fun.
The Godfather is available to watch on Paramount + & Apple TV.
