I dont know maybe I'm crazy but the only thing I can see 4 being about is the time from the end of the prequel portion of two up until one. Really that would probably be the best portion of the saga, showing how Vito built The Family up into its glory period. There are just endless possibilities for the plot also. I think that would be as Puzo wanted it too. Isn't this far and away the best possible scenario for 4?

I am in total agreement with you! I know that I am not the only one who wants to see Vito build his empire and Sonny, Michael, Fredo as they mature and how they were when they were younger.

Many I know, would like to see the Vincent saga continue, but I am not one of them. However, rumor is that if it is made, they will continue Vincent's story and flashbacks to a young Sonny/Michael and hopefully Vito (although hard to imagine who would play the parts)

TIS

If they focus on the later years and include Michale, Al would work perfectly as the older Michael becuase he has of course aged. So it would no doubt work well.

As a die hard Godfather fan, my heart would love to see another movie. But honestly, I just don't think it would work too well. In my opinion, they should make a TV mini series, something called "The Godfather Chronicles " and show how Don Corleone built the empire, the boys growing up, how Luca came into being, his taking on of the Irish Gang, everything right up until Connies Wedding. If the proper actors/ actresses are picked, and the writing is good, I feel a mini series could work well. Everything could fit into 8 - 10 hours, no problem. But a Movie with a similar storyline would just not be long enough to cover all those events.


Don Cardi

Not a bad idea Don Cardi. I know I'd watch it. Maybe just knowing it was a tv movie wouldn't have all our expectations so high! There have been many very good tv movies, however usually the really big stars don't take the roles. Yet, that's not to say that there aren't really good "unknowns" out there. Unfortunately, it's out of our hands.


TIS

I'm against the idea of a TV series. A good idea, but for personal preference I'd hate to see the odd non-hardcore fan trying to think they were into it, and really didn't have a clue.

As for the storyline you mentioned, I'm also against that, as for anybody else to be playing Vito, Sonny et al would be disastrous. The same was probably said when De NIro was cast as Vito back in 1974, but I just can't see it happening these days, with the lack of young Italian actors (as long as The Sopranos remains to air,the best will not be avaiable).

Mick

Even Though I love the Godfathjer Trilogy to the point of obsession. I dont think there should be a GodfatherIV. It would mar the others greatness. Although now that I've just noticed that Godfather II is on .....Al Pacino ..well any way even though I love the Godfather, it would not go over well!

Best idea I've heard.

Having re-seen the Godfather Trilogy especially won DVD. There is no doubt in my mind that GF 4 should be made. Garcia should lead with De Niro as a Middle Age Don.

A key character is a young SOnny and that role should be chosen carefully. It would be a perfect story with the rise of a crime family (pre-WW II) and the fall of a family under Garcia (with a drug cartel) as per FFC's words.

Godfather III left the plot hanging in limbo with Francis Coppolas last minute ending with the aged Micheal Corleone slumping of a chair in the garden seemingly dead.

I can only treat that last scene as an anomaly within the whole Godfather plot.

Micheal does not die in Part 3, the funeral at the end was Don Tomasinos.

A beautiful story lies in limbo clouded by Michaels enemies.
Micheal is ready for his supreme act of power as he has always shown himself to exert his will just when he and the Corleones appear to be crushed.
Part 4 needs to finish the trilogy, and the story of Michaels life, irregardless of the ending in the re-release version.

Micheals job is to fulfill Vito's vision of wealth and power by lanundering the money from the gambling and prostitution rackets into legitimate enterprises. If he does not achieve this the Corleones will continue to be wiped out.

Robert Deniro can come back to play vito in a flashback sequence telling the story of building Las Vegas and rising to a postion of almost supreme power in the mafia.

I have some godfather 4 notes on my website at:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/scottsholdice/

I welcome some criticism, specifics is what I am really looking for.

I agree the casting would have to be very carefully done, but I really think that it could work. I hated Godfather III and would not want a similar tainting of the Godfather legacy, but I feel the best part of the Corleone family's existence hasn't been told yet. Maybe I'll have to wait until I'm working in Hollywood to get it made.

I never thought it could possibly work, but consider having today's De Niro play a 40ish Don Corleone. Sure, it'd take make up, and he would really have to embrace Brando's "Vito" a lot more than in part 2, but I think it could work.

I think the rest of the cast would have to be relative unknowns, but good actors none the less. As for finding a young Santino, Michael, etc, look at the beginning of Goodfellas. The kid they got was perfect, he really looked and acted like a young Ray Liota/Henry Hill, and he was completely unknown. I don't think you could have some well known actor, like Leonardo DiCaprio, (puke) playing a role of Santino, or anyone else.

If FFC could put together an excellent -- and I mean excellent, because The Godfather shouldn't settle for less than that -- I would want to see it. The one thing that actually holds the project back, in my opinion, is the passing of Mario Puzo. I don't think the series should continue without his blessing, and without him having a hand in it. Then again, I'd like to hear from his wife on the matter, because I understand she helped finish his final novel after he passed away.

I guess my love for the Corleone family makes me want to see more about them, but only if it's extremely well done. I wouldn't accept anything less.

First of all, the story ended with part III. Sadly enough after the brilliant first two parts, FFC & Puzo made a 'redemption quest' of the cruel Michael Corleone. They punish him though, in the end, with the ultimate sacrifice: the death of his daughter.

Where it had to end with him killing his own brother, they stretched the torture of Mike a bit. But when Mary died, Mike died. That's it.

Second of all, I think it's a disastrous idea to show us the 'happy years'. Not only was the whole saga affected by PART III, but the brilliant first movie (the Brando movie) would be affected as well if one of it's strong characteristics (the assumably notorious past of top crime boss Vito "could I have gotten to him ten years ago?" Corleone) is damaged by showing it all to us.

The Godfather is NOT a story about a succesfull crime syndicate. It is about what happened to a Family, long after it's destiny turned out to be crime and murder and such. We have seen what happened to the father, the mother, the sons, the daughter and the granddaughter. What more is there left to show? Vincent? Young Vito again? The Godfather is about family, not about mafia, I think.

I really love all three movies. I would definitely see a part IV, for the sake of it. But please, Paramount, DON'T! It just can not work anymore...

With Godfather IV, it would be good to see the flashbacks of Vito Corleone and his rise to power, slowly building up his Genco Pura Olive Oil Company through the great Depression and also show Sonny in his younger years, explaining how he joined the "Family Business" when he did a small-time robbery with some friends.

It should also show Vito against the Capones, as well as him nearly getting killed during the "Olive Oil" wars when Sonny took control for a short while. Plus it'll explain Luca Brasi and how he killed 6 men in 2 weeks to end that war.

For a young michael, he would only play a minor role, just like Al would play the minor role in 4, just being a mentor to Vincent and his dealings with any other types of mafia.

Though, for Vincent, who should the family be after? So far, the greatest challenge the Corleone family faced was the Vatican and Don Lucessi, and well... they didn't quite succeed as well as they hoped. They may have Immobiliare, but they lost their ally the Pope, and Mikey lost his innocent daughter.

Plus, you should also have Vincent just like Michael near the end of GF2, realizing he gave up what he loved the most for the family: Mary. He loved and lost her, just like how Mikey loved and lost Kay. It would also cause him to be shallow and cruel to all his enemies, as well as his friends. If written correctly, it would make for a very dramatic piece.

If and when this TV series or movie comes out wouldn't Scott Caan be the best person to play "young Sonny" he looks just like him. I like the TV idea the best that way when it is done iit will be over with and hopefully they won't leave ua hangin like GF3 did.

it could be about Michael in the 60's...after Part II but before Part III. That way Al Pacino can still be in the movie...but the story's gonna suck...

well if they did flashbacks to Vito during the time period I was in he'd be the perfect age now.
I don't know about sonny. And if they did michael AFTER mary's death he'd be the right age as well. (the amazing this is pacino looks late 40's early 50's yet hes 63!)

Your definately correct. I remember Puzo saying he wanted to focus on Santino as a young man making his bones in the family.

Godfather IV should be about not only Sonny's introduction to the family business, but Fredo's as well. I honestly think that Fredo's story was never fully brought out in Parts I and II. I would be very interested in seeing the character of Fredo come out in full.

I agree with you on this one fully, we only know Fredo as a guy causing all the problems. I really think Fredo was a different guy before he saw his father shot and he didn't do anything about it. I think thats an idea with a lot of possibilities.

I personally feel as though we need to move away from Michael in order for a fourth movie to be succesfull. Not that I don't love all the movies but theres only so many movies you can do that focus on the same character every time. I think we need to look more into other parts of the Family. Me i'd pick the time period when the Corleone empire was getting going before and during the Five Family war of the 30's. I think DeNiro can still do it, and i'm not sure if Bruno Kirby is totally out of the question either the only problem being he is that he isn't really heavy. I think there is a ton of plot in that time period and of course it would re-introduce us to the DON which is what we all really want. I'd also like to mention what a testament this is to Marlon Brando's performance that its truly the lasting image of the Godfather movies and really a lasting image on American film. I don't think any character in any movie has had the effect in that of the one of the DON he is the one that keeps me coming back for more.

Hey, Paisans....It's kinda hard to do a really good sequel to the greatest movie of all time. Primary reason, the original cast members are either much...MUCH older or dead (i.e. John Cazale). Using orig's would lend much credibilty to the story. Also, very few sequels are ever even half as good as the 1st.

However, that being said (heh, heh) I think the story of the Corleones coming to power in the late 20's - 30's would be the best bet. Showing how Sonny took over for Don Vito when he was shot and how the family grew to power during the Olive Oil wars probably has the most chance of being a successful film and story.

Also, I think, a good way of showing this would be to line it up with a modern day storyline of what happens to the Corleone empire after Michaels death.

You know, the big talk on these boards is that Vincent really was not Sonny's child. Lucy had him with the guy she hooked up with when she moved to Vegas, after Sonny was killed. (Not gonna go into that here. Check around the other postings. You'll see what I mean).

If that is so, howzabout this one. As in GFII, go back and forth between the 20's-30's and the present day. If Vincent is not really a Corleone, Sonny's true son, Frank shows up with Connie's kid (remember the baptism GFI...) and fights Vinnie for their birthright....the Corleone Family legacy!!! Eh? Just a thought.

I could realy expound on this one (thought about it too much), but I get tired typing for too long.
Maybe, one day, when I'm old and grey, I'll spend some time on this and post a story outline so you all can give opinions. (Hey, wait a minute, I am old and grey!!!)Whatever!!!


"Senator, we are all part of the same hypocracy but don't ever think that it applies to my family."

You just hit it right on the money. I'm gonna start working in the Corleone/not Corleone bit into my outline. Didn't think of that one, though I should have... should Jules be in GF IV?

Remember - one of the most intriguing aspects of GF I - III is that real mafia history is incorporated into the fiction of the Corleone story. Without that, any GFIV version will not fit with the others.

He may look like him but can he ACT???