Al Pacino was RELIEVED after he broke ankle on set of The Godfather amid fears he was going to be fired

Al Pacino was so concerned about the possibility of being fired from The Godfather that he secretly hoped that his on-set injury would provide an opportunity to leave the film.

Despite ultimately earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on studio executives’ doubts about his suitability for the role in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir Sonny Boy.

“There was a rumor going around on set that I was going to be let go from the picture,” he wrote in an excerpt The Guardian. ‘There was an uneasiness among the people, even the crew, when I was working. I was very aware of that.’

However, after breaking his ankle while filming a scene in which he attempted to jump into a moving car, Pacino felt a wave of relief at the prospect of being released from the project.

“Thank you, God, I’m going to get out of this movie,” he told Ben Mankiewicz during a rare interview on CBS Sunday morning.

Despite ultimately earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in the 1972 classic, Pacino, 84, reflected on studio executives’ doubts about his suitability for the role in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir Sonny Boy; (Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, John Cazale on the set of The Godfather)

He echoed the sentiment in a preview clip of Monday’s episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast.

“My ankle was hurt and somehow it slipped,” he told host Conan. “So I just looked up at the sky and said, ‘Thank you, God.'”

‘This was my thought. I actually said, “Thank you, God. You’re going to get me out of this movie.” I wanted to leave it so badly. I said, ‘This is from heaven.'”

Despite the misgivings, Pacino stuck with the cast, and The Godfather’s influence on cinema is undeniable.

Often celebrated as one of the greatest films ever made, the film achieved notable box office success and critical acclaim.

The film received ten Academy Award nominations and won three prestigious Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Currently, Pacino is gearing up for his next role as King Lear in a Shakespeare production, after recently being spotted in Los Angeles in royal garb.

In addition to his theatrical efforts, he celebrated the thirtieth birthday of his ex-girlfriend Noor Alfallah at a glamorous gathering.

An Instagram video from the event shows the former couple – who welcomed their son Roman in 2023 – sharing a tender moment as the Oscar-winning actor helped Noor blow out the candles on her birthday cake.

In addition to Roman, Pacino has a 35-year-old daughter, Julie, from his relationship with acting coach Jan Tarrant.

However, after breaking his ankle trying to jump over a car in the film, Pacino felt a wave of relief at the prospect of his release from the project.

“There was a rumor going around on set that I was going to be let go from the picture,” he wrote in Sonny Boy

He also shares fraternal twins Anton and Olivia, who are 23, with Emmy nominee Beverly D’Angelo.

Although he never tied the knot, Pacino’s romantic history includes high-profile relationships with several actresses, such as Diane Keaton, Jill Clayburgh, Penelope Ann Miller and Kathleen Quinlan.

On Tuesday, Penguin Press will release Sonny Boy, Pacino’s first memoir, which he will narrate for both ebook and audiobook versions — an effort that could lead to a Grammy Award.

The iconic actor is just one Grammy away from achieving EGOT status, having already earned two Tony Awards, an Oscar and two Emmys during his illustrious career from 1969 to 2004.