Probably not an option now since Pacino and Duvall are now older then the characters at this age, and this was probably never an option for Coppola or Puzo, but I personally would be very interested in seeing how Michael and Tom made the push into legitimate enterprise, detailing how Michael is the successful businessman at the start of Part III. The film could climax with Tom's death, (by natural causes or otherwise ), and there could be flashbacks contrasting how Vito and Sonny became successful in The Family business in the 30s, with Michael and Tom becoming successful in the late 60s/early 70s.

Interesting contrast you got there... Michael's rise into legitimacy contrasted to Vito's rise in the "business."

I thoroughly despise Robert Duvall, and i can certainly respect those who think he is great, i just really dislike his acting style. can't explain it, i just do. that said, i really was less than thrilled with his performance in GFII. in GFI he was good,really good, but i thought he chewed up the script here and spit it out. one moment he was overacting, next he was incomprehendable. He's like a 110 now, anyway,jk, but still he's too old for makeup to make a miracle.
Next idea...

another Duvall disliker here, but anyway i like the idea, i thouGht about it myself, but not for the business reasons, more because id like to see that "Tom HaGen Gap" filled for once, he was my favorite character, and see what finally happened between him and Michael.

how their relationship developed further, how Michael could look back at Tom as a "Great man" in GF III after whippinG him around so cruelly in GF II.

Tom was an essential character to the Godfather movies, and its totally lame to state "oh him, well, yeah, he snuffed it cause we couldnt afford the actor, end of story".

personally, I always wouldve liked to see a last measure of strenGth between Michael and Tom, maybe even a battle of life or death (a battle of wits, not fists, of course. the latter would be disturbinG.)

althouGh of course, reGardinG GF III, thered be no real question about the winner...

thanks for brinGinG this up!

BTW Chilltown, thanks for naminG me your reasons why you cant stand Duvall. I always loved Tom HaGen and I hated Robert Duvall, but I cant quite put my finGer on it. but your statements interestinG.

I think they should show what happens from the time of mike's dauhters death to the time mike dies as an old man since the godfather is based on michael.

Bad idea...because from the moment of Mary's death Michael is a broken man. Absolutely NOTHING happens to him until he dies, he just grows older and lonelier and sicker. Hence the point of FFC jumping in time to that point at the end of GFIII.

The story is over.

AppleOnYa

Notice NO Duval Haters Even Know WHY they hate Him?