When you look back at it now and think about how some of the greatest artists of the last 50 years could have so easily been knocked off this production, it’s inconceivable to me, when you learn about how close it came sometimes to collapsing. They would take a personal dislike to Al Pacino, for example, or to Coppola, and might actually fire them off the job. Especially with the executive that I played, and like Colin, who made huge decisions about casting. But ultimately, I was surprised at the absolute chaos that sometimes would ensue, on this particular movie. On the outside, it may seem like it’s just this magical world where somebody green lights something, and it goes forward. I know how difficult it is to get movies made. GORMAN: I think Al Ruddy said that every day working on The Godfather was the worst day of his life. What most surprised you about all of that? As someone who is actually in the industry of telling stories and making films and TV, what did you find most interesting about all of that? I was so fascinated by how this digs into and really weaves together the layers of the studio, the corporate bosses, the producers and the mafia, and explained the roles that everybody played in getting this movie made and how they were all connected. I loved playing this guy and I really hope that we’ve honored Al Ruddy’s story and everyone who was involved in The Godfather. It means that I don’t have to be like that in real life. And also, I’ve gotta be honest with you, it’s cheap therapy to be able to come into work and shout at someone. It’s the gray areas of life that are the most interesting. That was something which really appealed to me because, like all good characters, he’s not black and white, in terms of his morality. He was talked about as the last romantic businessman. There were also some great profiles about him, as an industrialist. There are some pictures of him on the set of The Godfather, watching and checking up on them. GORMAN: It’s crazy, isn’t it? Doing research for Charlie Bluhdorn, there’s not an awful lot of video or audio. What did you most enjoy playing about someone like that, who can make someone’s dreams come true or end their career, just with one decision? And if someone wants something from them, and they say yes, they’re the hero. If someone wants something from them and they say no, they’re the villain. I love how each of these characters are the hero to someone and the villain to someone, depending on what the situation is. If that doesn’t get your heart beating a little quicker then you need to check your pulse. It was one of those pinch me moments, sometimes walking onto set and being on the Paramount lot. And it was surreal, seeing these iconic scenes and sets, which were exact replicas of the sets from that time. It was actually quite surreal to be working with Justin, when he played Marlon Brando, and Anthony, when he was playing the young Pacino. This was filmed during COVID, so I worked with Matthew and Colin a lot, but I never worked with Giovanni and only had a few scenes with Dan. We didn’t even actually get to see a lot of each other. A lot of the actors that I worked with on this, I’ve admired their work for so many years. What reassured you that this would actually get pulled off, in a way that you could be proud of? It seems like there are so many ways that this could have gone wrong, even in just the casting and portrayal of people, like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. ![]() RELATED: 'The Offer': Giovanni Ribisi on Why He Was Terrified to Play the Infamous Mob Boss Joe Colombo And then, to get the job, it was one of those special jobs that only come along every so often. I’ve gotta be a part of this.” I was so pleased to be considered by Dexter and Paramount, and the rest of the team. During this 1-on-1 interview with Collider, Gorman (who plays Charles Bluhdorn, the CEO of Gulf + Western, the corporation that owned Paramount Pictures in the 1970s) talked about what he found so interesting about this story, playing in the gray areas of life, what most surprised him about what it took to make The Godfather, what he most enjoyed about the dynamic between Bluhdorn and Bettye McCartt ( Juno Temple), and the experience of sharing scenes with Teller and Goode.Ĭollider: When the idea of all this came your way, what was your reaction to it? Did you immediately think it was a cool idea, or did you wonder how it was all going to work?īURN GORMAN: I was like, “Oh, my God, they’re making a show about the making of The Godfather, one of the greatest films ever made, with all the characters, the color of the seventies, and the eccentricities.
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