A distinct lack of Tom Hagen remains one of The Godfather Part III's biggest drawbacks, but there was a reason for the actor's absence. An adopted member of the Corleone family, Robert DuVall's Tom Hagen was among the major players in 1972's The Godfather cast. Following the deaths of Sonny and Vito, Hagen enjoyed even more prominence in The Godfather Part II, where he temporarily acted as don of the Corleone family in Michael's stead.

Despite his evident importance to the franchise, DuVall did not return in The Godfather Part III, and was the only major surviving character to be omitted. Dialogue explained that Tom Hagen died sometime between The Godfather Part II and Part III due to illness, not some nefarious mafia activity as one might assume. The real-life reason Robert DuVall declined The Godfather Part III, however, isn't quite as straightforward.

Robert DuVall Didn't Appear In The...