Unveiling the Lost Story of ‘The Godfather Part IV’: What Could Have Been

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For over three decades now, nothing has come close to matching the impact of “The Godfather” film trilogy. This epic series was brought to life by Francis Ford Coppola, who drew inspiration from Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel, written by Italian-American author Mario Puzo. The story revolves around the triumphs and tribulations of a fictional crime family called the Corleones. From a humble beginnings as a hoodlum in New York City’s Little Italy, Vito Corleone (portrayed by Marlon Brando and later Robert De Niro) rises to become one of America’s most powerful mob bosses. Initially hesitant, Michael Corleone, the youngest son (played by Al Pacino), eventually emerges from his shell and takes over, striving to expand their influence into Fortune 500 territory while maintaining a semblance of legality within the family.

Produced by Paramount Pictures, these films garnered significant acclaim worldwide, raking in a total of $517 million at the box office, as reported by Box Office Mojo. The series also received numerous accolades from the Oscars, winning 9 out of the 28 nominations it received. Generally, The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are highly praised, while The Godfather Part III, often seen as an unnecessary follow-up, is criticized for its weak exploration of religion and a poorly written role for Sofia Coppola. The film’s attempts at humor also add to the overall discomfort. However, despite this criticism, plans were still underway for a fourth movie, but alas, fate had other plans.

What ‘The Godfather Part IV’ Would Have Looked Like

I was taken aback when the news broke about “The Godfather Part III,” given Coppola’s previous assertion of not making a third installment. Yet, it’s evident what led him to this decision. Both Paramount Pictures and Coppola yearned for another triumphant film. The 1980s weren’t particularly generous to the director, so he felt compelled to take action that would restore his standing in the industry. What better way to achieve that than by revisiting the work that first catapulted him into fame? After extensive discussions, he consented to take on the task, ensuring some personal conditions were included in the agreement.

Following the release of “The Godfather: Part III“, the urge to carry on the story grew even stronger. In the DVD commentary for the 1990 gangster film, Coppola reveals that he and author Puzo started brainstorming concepts for a fresh script. Since the author had contributed to writing all the previous three films, Coppola felt it necessary to seek his input for the potential fourth installment.

As Coppola explained, the upcoming chapter would have introduced multiple new characters, intertwining their destinies in a tragic cycle of unfortunate events that echoed the grim ironies of crime and human connection. Moreover, it was intended to follow the same structure as Part II, with scenes unfolding across various timeframes.

The upcoming movie will delve into the contemporary phase, focusing on Vincent assuming leadership in the Corleone crime family, as well as a glimpse at the past. An intricate portrayal would scrutinize Sonny’s part in his own demise while celebrating the enduring impact he made. Concurrently, Vincent’s fresh tenure will be filled with chaos and contrasting figures, and that’s only among the Cosa Nostra associates.

In the new role as head of the Corleone family, it was presumed he would guide them towards illegal drug activities, hinting at a fearful and perplexed individual who may not be ready for such responsibilities. His decision to involve himself in the drug trade is something his former leaders would have never endorsed; however, this is just the start of the story. Tormented by the loss of Mary, Vincent was bound to make decisions that others might find dubious, such as a risky quest for vengeance.

‘The Godfather Part IV’ Looked Promising, But Mario Puzo’s Death Forced Coppola to Abandon the Project

It seems to me that the storyline for The Godfather: Part IV appears more captivating than that of The Godfather Part III. If Coppola had brought this fourth installment to life, he might have successfully wiped away the criticisms levied against the previous film. Moreover, he could have provided fans with a harmonious fusion of both contemporary and classic elements.

The movie was initially announced in 1999 by The Guardian. In the previous film, Andy García delivered an outstanding performance as Vincent, showcasing a moving mix of determination and strength. Therefore, Coppola had pledged to bring him back for this one. Furthermore, Leonardo DiCaprio was chosen as the ideal actor to portray a younger version of Sonny, who was originally played by James Caan in the previous installments.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but imagine the captivating spectacle that would ensue if Leonardo DiCaprio were to venture beyond his customary lover-boy roles. Instead, he could breathe life into the character of Sonny, an Italian-American gangster, showcasing a remarkable transformation in both acting range and physical appearance, complete with an authentic accent.

Sadly, Mario Puzo passed away from heart failure on July 2, 1999, at his home in West Bay Shore. His untimely demise, at the age of 78, halted plans for a fourth movie, leaving fans with only the trilogy. At the time of his passing, he was working on the manuscript for a book titled Omerta, which was later published posthumously.

In the Age of Legacy Sequels, ‘The Godfather Part IV’ Can Still Be Made

Modern sequels based on established franchises, such as “The Godfather: Part IV,” are gaining traction in popularity. Movies like “Blade Runner 2049,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “Beverly Hills Cop 4,” and others have performed well, suggesting that audiences may be eager for a fresh Corleone tale.

It appears that Coppola isn’t showing much enthusiasm for returning to the world of the fictional mafia in another movie. During a conversation on Instagram, he was asked about the prospect of The Godfather: Part IV, and his response was straightforward.

He said:

To me, there’s just a single movie that goes by the name “The Godfather” (which includes parts I and II), along with a conclusion or additional scene titled “The Death of Michael Corleone“.

It appears that Coppola’s feelings against another sequel mirror the enthusiasm of fans for it, but let me reassure you, the series devotees need not feel disheartened because the director isn’t compulsorily involved in making a fourth film. Historically, many sequels have been helmed by different directors. The possibility of a new movie hinges on Paramount Pictures re-evaluating their longstanding belief that the story is best told as a trilogy and embracing the idea of expansion.

It could be beneficial to create “The Godfather: Part IV” without Francis Ford Coppola, considering his lack of recent success in filmmaking. With his last project, “Megalopolis,” not faring well, it seems that he may not realize his greatest talent lies within the gangster genre, similar to Martin Scorsese. Unfortunately, he has shown no interest in delving deeper into this genre. If Andy Garcia were to return, he would be a bit older for the role of Vincent, but his exceptional skills could more than make up for it.

It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a truly great mafia movie, akin to “Goodfellas” or “The Godfather.” Despite numerous attempts, none have managed to capture that same magic. Therefore, it appears that now might be an ideal moment to revisit the Corleones’ world once more.

The Godfather films are all available to stream in the US on Paramount+

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2025-01-18 05:01