Everyone in the Family thought Michael was going to succeed his father but he was always refusing to get involved in the Business. He obviously had the qualities of his father but the Don envisioned another career path or destiny for him outside the criminal activities of the Family. So my question is this what would've happened if the Don hadn't met with Virgil Sollozzo and refused the deal. This would mean he wouldn't get shot down in the street, no Five Families war, Santino & Luca Brasi would be alive. How do you guys think it would've changed the storyline of the Trilogy we are all fans of.

I've always believed that, if Vito'd had his way, Michael would have been Vito's instrument for "legitimizing" the family. Michael would have finished law school and gone into politics. As Senator Corleone or Governor Corleone, he would have worked to legalize gambling, either in NY State or across America. That way, the Corleones' domination of illegal gambling would be channeled into legalized casinos--a potentially vastly bigger business (as we see in present-day America). Vito's clout with the labor unions also would be channeled into Michael's political organization, providing him with money and votes. Senator or Governor Corleone would be able to arrange labor support for his political allies who'd support legalized gambling in return.

As for Sonny: I think Vito envisioned him as the head of an ever-shrinking "olive oil business." Sonny would provide muscle to Michael when needed--i.e., "influencing" political opponents and voters--but always at arms-length from Michael. Eventually the criminal part of the Corleone empire would fade, taking Sonny with it.

Now, there'd be no Trilogy as we know it. But imagine the potential of Michael becoming Numero Uno in the Corleone enterprise--and the conflicts he'd have with Sonny. In-family mayhem and murder!

But wouldn't Vito have the insight to forsee such an event? And wouldn't he move swiftly to prevent it from happening? However I do believe it would've been awesome seeing a Trilogy of Santino's violence up against the cunning tactics of Michael.

I'm not so sure TB. I think it was in Vito's blood to do things as he had been doing them using violence when necessary. As we've both posted elsewhere, Vito's version of legitimate was probably quite different from most people's. I think he saw Michael's potential ascendency to elective office as a tool for him to use as just one component of his illegitimate empire. Afterall, Michael was never able to fully abandon death and destruction as his tools.

Well, one thing is certain: Vito didn't want Michael to be "Senator Corleone...Governor Corleone..." so he could brag to the paisani at the bocce court about how well his youngest son turned out. Of course he wanted to use Michael's high office. But I seriously doubt he'd ever want to have Michael's position jeopardized by connecting it with violence.

In the novel(If my memory doesn't fail me ) it is said that Michael wanted to finsh college and become a lawyer and settle down in New Hampshire. But when the Don, his godson, and 3 sons go and pay their respects to Genco, Vito tells him "come see me after you finish college, I have some plans you might like". I think Michael would've refused the help of his father (a bit like Anthony refuses to finish law schoolin GF III), because Santino said that Michael was the only one who could stand up to the old man. What do you guys think? Do you think he would turn out like I assumed or lose the childish naivety and succeed his father as Head of the Family?

I saw no indication to that point that Michael would have accepted any proposal from his father that would have connected him to any aspect of the "olive oil business," or to his father's plans for him. If Michael had gotten his law degree, and if Vito had said, "Now that you're a lawyer, I will help you run for Congress in my home district," I think Michael would have turned him down. Only Vito's shooting, and Michael's broken jaw, brought them together in a common enterprise.

I agree Turbull, the shooting of his father scared Michael into being there for his family but it was that punch and disrespect from McCluskey that turned him on to the life and cemented his place as a 'gangster'.

Yes, veneratio, a lot of people here believe that. We've had many interesting threads about whether Michael's decision was "business" (protect his father) or "personal" (the broken jaw).
Another viewpoint: In the novel, Vito says, "A man has but one destiny." Was Michael's destiny to become a gangster?

This starts getting deep huh?

If a man has but one destiny...
Is destiny the same as fate?
Is destiny/fate pre-determined, so everyone thought for example Michael would be a senator/governor but he became a gangster, so his becoming a gangster, is that a twist of fate or his real destiny because that's what happened?
Or did he miss out on his destiny because he became a gangster?

Sorry, even I'm confused with what I just said haha.