Francis Ford Coppola explains to Diane Keaton why he cast her in ‘The Godfather’: ‘There was more to you’

Until now, Diane Keaton has wondered for decades why she was cast as Francis Ford Coppola The Godfather.

On Friday, the director took his Instagram Stories for an “Ask Me Anything” session., encouraging fans to ask him about his life, work and career. Among those who responded was none other than the Book Club: The Next Chapter actress.

Coppola proceeded to post Keaton’s question for all to read: “Why the hell did you pick me for The Godfather?!!”

The Oscar-winning actress played the role of Kay Adams-Corleone, the wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone, in the 1972 film, which quickly became a cult classic.

The director answered her question, writing, “I cast you, because even though you were to play the more straight/vanilla wife, there was something more about you that was deeper, funnier, and very interesting. (I was right).”

Coppola also shared the first time he saw Keaton in his element, during a performance of the Broadway musical Hair, which was also the actress’s first major stage role. “I was invited by Fred Astaire to accompany him to see Hair,” he added. “From which he could not derive ‘skin or hair’. You were there too and I remember your beautiful singing voice.

After The Godfather launched her into stardom, Keaton then reprized her role in 1974 The Godfather Part II and in the 90s The Godfather Part III. Then, in 2020, a cropped version of the third film, titled The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleonewas released for the 30th anniversary of the original release.

During the AMA session, Coppola was also asked if he was going to make a fourth Godfather movie. He replied: “In my mind there is a film known as The Godfather (Parts I and II) and an Epilogue or ‘Coda’ The Death of Michael Corleone.