was initially asked to direct The Godfather. He had a look at it and said it needed a bigger budget and the studio said thanks very much. Some time later he heard they'd found someone else, who's since gone on to do quite well, to direct it.
A little good humoured anecdote as told on BBCs The Film Program. I think Lewis Gilbert is a very good director but he's also very British - would have been interesting.
Sergio Leone was being considered also, but reportedly turned it down because he wanted instead to make his adaption of Harry Grey's "The Hoods" - which ultimately become Once Upon A Time in America.
sharewhich didn't happen until the next decade. He made A Fistful of Dynamite/Duck You Sucker/Once upon a time The Revolution to fill time when waiting for the rights to the stpry. Would have been very interesting if he'd directed this too - imagine a Morricone soundtrack instead of the Godfather theme we all know.
Richard Bright is in both films. Not sure if anyone else is (aside from the obvious, but he's only in part 2!)