Why Clemenza Didn’t Return For The Godfather Part II

The Godfather Part II continued the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) after becoming the new Don of the Corleone family, and while most of the cast from the first movie returned, the character Peter Clemenza was notably absent. In 1972, Francis Ford Coppola brought what’s now considered one of the greatest films of all time and the best in the gangster genre: The Godfather. Based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel of the same name, and with a screenplay co-written by Puzo and Coppola, The Godfather was a massive critical and commercial success, and made way for a trilogy.

The Godfather introduced viewers to the Corleone family in New York City, led by Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When Vito decided to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael, conflict with the rest of the city’s crime families was triggered, putting the lives of Vito’s loved ones in great danger, while Michael was pushed to take the lead despite staying out of the family business his whole life. The Godfather was followed by two sequels, and though most of the cast returned in The Godfather Part II, Richard S. Castellano’s Clemenza didn’t come back.

Clemenza Was Written Out Of The Godfather Part II Due To Disagreements With The Actor

Richard S. Castellano Wasn’t Comfortable With The Conditions For His Return

Peter Clemenza was one of Vito’s caporegimes and oldest and most trusted friends. Throughout The Godfather, he was tasked with getting rid of some of the Corleone family’s enemies, most notably Don Victor Stracci during the infamous “baptism killings” and he planted the gun for Michael to use to kill Sollozzo and McCluskey. Now, The Godfather Part II arrived just two years after The Godfather, and it’s both a sequel and a prequel, as it picks up the story of Michael now as the new Don of the family while also going back in time to explore the origin story of Vito.

The “present” timeline didn’t include Clemenza, which was strange given his strong connection to the Corleone family and his place as one of their most trusted capos. Coppola said in a DVD documentary (via Mental Floss) that Castellano had declined to return as he wanted more money and dialogue approval, the latter as he had ad-libbed the now famous “take the cannoli” line in the first movie at the urging of his wife, Ardell Sheridan. However, Castellano denied this in an interview in 1981 (via New York Post) and explained he didn’t return in The Godfather Part II as he disagreed with how Clemenza had been written.

According to Castellano, the original script had Clemenza testifying against the Corleone family, which he claimed was completely off-character. Castellano added that the demands on him were “impossible” as he had settled on a price, and he was required to gain weight after losing 194 pounds to play young Clemenza. He also claimed Coppola promised to tell the press he had turned down the role for artistic reasons, but Coppola ended up saying something entirely different.

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How The Godfather Part II Dealt With Clemenza’s Exit

The Godfather Part II Gave Closure To Clemenza

Despite Castellano not returning to play Clemenza in the present timeline in The Godfather Part II, Coppola found a way to give him closure and fill in that space. Bruno Kirby was cast as young Clemenza for the flashback scenes to Vito’s backstory, and in the present timeline, Clemenza was killed off-screen. Fredo mentioned that Clemenza died of a heart attack, but Cicci implied he might have been murdered. Clemenza was replaced by Frank Pentangeli (Michael V. Gazzo), who was given the storyline of testifying against the Corleone family, though Michael used Frank’s brother to make him recant his statements.

With the Corleone family now on the safe side, Tom Hagen visited Frank and told him a story about how traitors in ancient Rome could spare their families if they killed themselves. This implied that Michael would take care of Frank’s family if he killed himself, and so he did after his conversation with Hagen. Seeing Clemenza betray the Corleone family would have felt off, but it also felt strange not seeing him in The Godfather Part II.

Sources: Mental Floss, New York Post.

The Godfather Part II

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather II continues Michael Corleone’s story as he expands the Corleones’ presence as a crime syndicate. The film is also half devoted to the backstory of Vito Corleone, following his rise to power in 1920s New York City. While The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies ever made, The Godfather Part II was able to live up to the original and secure six Oscars at the 1975 Academy Awards.

Release Date

December 20, 1974

Runtime

202minutes

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