Before Martin Sheen was picked, what actor or actors where considered to play the movie role of Captain Willard in "Apocalypse Now"?

Kainantu

Francis Ford Coppola asked Al Pacino to play Captain Willard in his film 'Apocalypse Now.' http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/exorcist/665/biography.htm May 22 04, 3:21 AM

tycoon13

Initially cast in the role of Captain Willard was the actor Harvey Keitel who had worked prolifically with Coppola's buddy Martin Scorsese in such films as Mean Streets, Who's That Knocking At My Door? and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. I have heard just about everyone in Hollywood was considered for the role but I remember reading somewhere that the director's dream triumvirate would have been Al Pacino as Willard, Gene Hackman as Kilgore and Brando as Kurtz. Well, he got one of them at least. I also read that Coppola got very upset when Pacino turned down the Willard role. I think he may also have offered it to Jimmy Caan and Steve McQueen. http://cityfile.com/profiles/harvey-keitel Keitel's career took a downward turn in the late '70s and '80s. Francis Ford Coppola picked him to play the role of Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now, only to quickly fire him (he was replaced by Martin Sheen.) [Added reference link - McG] Apr 20 09, 6:23 AM