James Caan on The Godfather, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino & Hollywood Comeback | Film Discussion

Video Description

In this rare, in-depth conversation, James Caan reflects on his legendary career — from growing up in Queens and leaving his family’s meat business to becoming Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. Caan shares behind-the-scenes stories about Francis Ford Coppola’s casting battles, Marlon Brando’s influence, and working with Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Gordon Willis. He opens up about turning down iconic roles in Apocalypse Now, Kramer vs. Kramer, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as well as his five-year hiatus from acting, personal struggles, and Hollywood comeback with hits like Misery, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Eraser. A must-watch for fans of film history, The Godfather trilogy, and James Caan’s enduring legacy in American cinema. Chapters: 00:00 Early Life & Leaving the Meat Business 01:04 Acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse 04:00 Landing The Godfather & Casting Battles 07:50 Working with Brando, Pacino & Duvall 10:54 Improvisation on Set & Luca Brasi Story 16:05 Career Highs & Turning Down Iconic Roles 19:14 Personal Loss, Hiatus & Coaching Kids 22:10 Hollywood Comeback & Eraser with Schwarzenegger FILM DISCUSSION Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage. Join our community of 800+ filmmakers: https://occupy.beehiiv.com/subscribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmdiscussion_ Facebook: http://facebook.com/filmdiscussionofficial Thank you for your ongoing support: https://buymeacoffee.com/filmdiscussion #jamescaan #filminterview #filmdiscussion