Summary SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Al Pacino played Michael Corleone throughout the three movies of The Godfather trilogy, but the actor’s age didn’t always match that of his character. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, The Godfather trilogy is a sprawling crime epic that follows the rise and fall of an Italian-American mob family. The saga focuses on Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone as he takes over from his father, Vito Corleone.
Although The Godfather devotes a lot of screen time to the older Vito and The Godfather Part II features many scenes starring Robert De Nio’s younger version of the character, The Godfather movies as a whole center on Michael. It is Vito’s heir who takes over his crime empire when he dies and, in the underrated Godfather Part III, it's an older Michael who tries to legitimize the infamous family’s many shady business dealings.
Al Pacino's Age In The Godfather's 3 Movies Explained Pacino Was 31 Years Old When He First Played Michael Corleone Close Al Pacino was 31 years old when he filmed The Godfather in 1971, and the actor’s career was still in its infancy at the time. Although he impressed as the desperate addict Bobby in the intense drama The Panic in Needle Park, Pacino’s star-making roles in Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon were still in his future.
Although all of The Godfather’s cast became stars after their parts in the original movie, Pacino’s youth meant that he could parlay the role into a string of acclaimed movie roles. Pacino went on to star in other iconic gangster movies like Carlito’s Way, Donnie Brasco, and The Irishman, as well as critically adored hits like Any Given Sunday, Heat, and Glengarry Glen Ross.
How Old Michael Corleone Is Supposed To Be In Each Godfather Movie Michael Corleone's Age Never Quite Lined Up With His Actor During Filming Close Michael Corleone is only 25 in The Godfather, although his actor was six years older than the character. In The Godfather Part II, a 33-year-old Pacino plays a 38-year-old Corleone, getting a little closer to matching the character’s age. By The Godfather Part III, the gap between the pair is wider than ever.