The Godfather Making-Of Movie Lands A Huge Star
The long-gestating movie detailing all the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during the production of Francis Ford Coppola's iconic 1972 mobster drama The Godfather is starting to take shape. Though the film has yet to log a proper title, it seems the project has indeed landed a major star for a key role. That star is none other that Elisabeth Moss. As Deadline first reported, the Mad Men and The Invisible Man star will appear in the film as Eleanor Coppola, Francis Ford's wife and thus the iron-willed matriarch of one of Hollywood's most prominent families.
It's unclear how big a role Moss will play in the film, but given the actor's stature as one of cinema's fiercest leading ladies, it's safe to assume her role will be substantial. Even if it's not, you can bet Moss will make it so. As for The Godfather, while movie lovers from every generation know it to be a crime classic of Shakespearean scope that's regularly listed among the greatest movies ever made, most don't know that the behind-the-scenes drama on the film was every bit as epic with studio power plays, production problems, and even real-life mafia interference playing a part. Needless to say, such storied issues should make for ample drama in the upcoming making-of movie.
The project is being produced by Echo Lake Entertainment in conjunction with Baltimore Pictures. Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales. Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Wag the Dog) has also claimed the director's chair on the film, and apparently couldn't be happier to have Moss onboard, telling Deadline, "I've wanted to work with her for a long time. I couldn't be more excited about her joining the film. Every performance of Elisabeth's is nothing short of exceptional."
The Godfather making-of movie is shaping up to be a suitably star-studded affair
As for Elisabeth Moss, she continues to book intriguing projects at a torrid rate, and The Godfather making-of movie is now one of several high-profile offerings Moss has on the way, with new films from Taika Waititi (Next Goal Wins) and Wes Anderson (The French Dispatch) likely headed to theaters in 2021, and another season of her hit streaming series The Handmaid's Tale hitting Hulu later in the year.
Given the obvious prestige-y nature of The Godfather behind-the-scenes flick, it should be noted that Moss isn't the first big name to board the project; Levinson and company are assembling a suitably star-studded cast for the film. As noted in the Deadline piece, Moss' on-screen partner in the film will be none other than Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and the up-coming Dune reboot), who's already inked a deal to portray The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola. That casting really could not be more spot-on, and it should be a true joy to watch Moss and Isaac working scenes together.
That heavy-hitting pair will be joined on screen by Donnie Darko, Zodiac, and Spider-Man: Far From Home alum Jake Gyllenhaal, who's set to portray legendary producer Robert Evans in the film. If you know nothing of Evans' towering legacy in Hollywood (particularly the cinema of the '70s), you should seek out the 2002 documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture with utmost haste. Just know Gyllenhaal's casting in that role is every bit as brilliant as Moss' and Isaac's, and we cannot wait to see what the actor brings to the part. Likewise, you can surely expect more big names to join this anticipated film soon. Stay tuned.