Hypothetically, if we were to do this, the following decisions would have to be made:
1. Would we extend the novel, fill in the gaps between GF1 and GF2, fill in the gaps between GF2 and GF3, or extend GF3? The point is that since there is a divergence between the novel and the movie series, we would have to pick a point and stick with it.
2. We could not change anything that has already been established as publicly embraced truth. I know that I have mentioned this a billion times already - but that is a fundamental principle across many disciplines of study and life in general. What amazes me is that after the 'New Coke' effort years ago, you would think that no one would tamper with an original.
3. We would have to solicit some of our fellow board members to review the book (off-line) before trying to publish it. I think it is safe to say, that we know the God Father logic as well if not better than anyone else. Hence, if you can get the story past our peers, then it will be a good book.
4. In terms of a story architecture, what would work best is a Forest Gump approach. In other words, weave the GF story into historical events to show how the character impacted history in a subtle but effective way. GFR does some of this, but not enough to save the book as a whole.
As a personal preference, if I were to do this, I would resume the story after Michael's death, with Vincent trying to manage a family in an era of global crime. His competitors would be Russian, Asian and Latin American mobs, as well as other Italian families in the US and in Sicily - hence the concept of family takes on ethnic and geographical meanings. He would also have to deal with foreign governments demanding payment for the right to take money out of their economies or to operate within their countries. The types of criminal activity would be the staples (drugs and stolen goods) and also electronic manipulation of financial transactions and global trade markets. Vincent's challenges would be to define and maintain his familial heritage as well as his business. To the extent that Vincent demonstrates his ability to wield power internationally, both through legal and illegal means, as well as to hold on the Sicilian heritage of the Mafia (suggesting that even the Italian families would temporarily suspend their differences and support him in keeping the Mafia 'Our Thing - Cosa Nostra'), then the title would be appropriate - The God Father Returns. If the book did well, then that would be the basis for another movie (with an older Garcia) - "GF4:The GFR". In that light: (1) the book and the movie would be in synch, (2) no need to touch the original works because this would be an extention, (3) the story would be pre-approved by the Ganster BB members, and (4) current events could be used to make the book and movie believable.
