Was The Godfather Originally Intended to be a Trilogy?

The Italian-American mafia classic, The Godfather, has captivated audiences for decades. However, the idea of the film as a trilogy was not as seamlessly planned as we might assume. Initially, both Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola only intended for the series to consist of two films. Despite this, The Godfather III has garnered a dedicated following and has been re-evaluated through recuts.

The Early Plans for a Trilogy

Even before the first The Godfather was released, Puzo had already begun working on a potential sequel. Intially, Coppola considered The Godfather II as the definitive conclusion of the Corleone saga. Over the years, though, several directors were considered to helm a potential third installment, and Coppola himself was approached multiple times in the 1970s and 1980s. However, he consistently declined these offers, citing financial troubles from other unsuccessful projects as the deciding factor for his eventual return to the franchise.

The Making of Godfather II

The initial concept for The Godfather was based on Puzo's novel. After the overwhelming success of the first film, which had a!

initial budget of six million dollars but returned an ROI of hundreds of millions, interest in a sequel naturally followed. The additional material from the novel that wasn't fully utilized in the first film became the basis for the second installment. This decision paid off, as The Godfather II not only completed the story of young Vito Corleone but also projected events into the future. Consequently, it won Robert DeNiro an Oscar for Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, the second film sparked curiosity for a third part, which would project events further into the 1970s.

Godfather III: The Controversy and Reevaluation

Contrary to some critics, the third installment of the trilogy, The Godfather III, is not as universally panned as it might seem. While the film's plot - a plan to finance the Vatican that ultimately backfired - is a substantial departure in tone and style from the first two films, it still leaves significant closure for the Michael Corleone character. Scenes set at the Vatican, where Michael confides in a Cardinal who would later become the Pope, are particularly memorable.

Coppola himself recut the film in recent years, renaming it Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. The re-release has received a slightly more positive reception, though some critics still express reservations. Regardless, for those who cherish the first two films, the last part of the trilogy is essential for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the Corleone story.

Conclusion

While the Godfather saga was not initially envisioned as a trilogy, each installment contributed significantly to the overall narrative and cultural impact. The recut of The Godfather III: Coda provides a fresh perspective on an already beloved classic. Whether one views the trilogy as a complete work or merely individual films with their own merits, the Godfather remains a significant part of cinematic history.