The Absence of Robert Duvall in The Godfather Part III: A Hypothetical Look at Michael Corleone’s Choices

In the world of the film trilogy The Godfather, the choice to exclude Robert Duvall's character, Tom Hagen, from The Godfather Part III has long been a point of discussion among fans and critics alike. Had Mike Corleone allowed Fredo Corleone to live, one might wonder who would have played the role of Tom Hagen in that film, given that Duvall passed away in 1978. Would there have been a different outcome for the character, or would the same writers and filmmakers have written him off in a similar fashion as Tom Hagen was?

Hypothetical vs. Reality

Given that no actor was ever considered to replace Duvall in The Godfather Part III, the scenario of including Tom Hagen in the film is purely hypothetical. Since Duvall was irreplaceable, the writers handled the situation by having Tom Hagen die, much like how they dealt with the character of Fredo Corleone not being included in the film. In The Godfather Part III, Robert Duval (who played Fredo) very intelligently declined to reprise the role, leading to the quick death of Fredo in the film.

Michael's Decision and its Consequences

Michael Corleone did not allow Fredo to live, and this hypothetical scenario has historical implications for the franchise. If Fredo had lived, the situation would have been handled differently. Michael would have banned Fredo from the family business, perhaps sending him to live in Switzerland or the Bahamas. However, Michaelrsquo;s complex relationship with Tom Hagen is a different matter. It is widely believed that Michael did not allow Fredo to live because he feared Fredo as a potential rival, much like he feared his own father Mike Corleone.

The Impact of Duvall's Absence

The absence of Duvall's Tom Hagen in The Godfather Part III had a significant impact on the film's overall quality. Had Duvall been offered a fair salary and a role that maintained the importance of Tom Hagen, the film would have been markedly better. The role of Tom Hagen in both The Godfather Part I and Part II was almost as important and central as that of Michael Corleone. Duvall's nuanced performance as Tom Hagen was a defining element of the franchise, especially during the critical conversations he had, such as his discussion with Pentangeli about the Roman senators and their suicide.

Salaries and Fairness

Another issue was the disparity in salaries between Al Pacino, who played Michael Corleone, and Robert Duvall. Duvall felt that the compensation was unfairly low compared to what Pacino was earning. This feeling of unfairness was a significant factor in Duvall's decision to decline the role in The Godfather Part III. The studio ultimately chose George Hamilton for the role, who played a kind of consiglieri but did not fully capture the essence of Tom Hagen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the absence of Robert Duvall's Tom Hagen in The Godfather Part III is a reflection of the complex business and personal decisions made by the filmmakers. The handling of characters like Tom Hagen and Fredo highlights the challenges and compromises faced in the sequel of a beloved franchise. While hypothetical scenarios can be fun to imagine, it is clear that the character of Tom Hagen was so integral to the original films that his spectral presence and unresolved storyline continue to resonate with fans of the Godfather saga.