Half-Assed Internet Research
A 1979 first draft built around Anthony and a CIA plot; Sofia Coppola appearing in all three films; 2,000 auditions for Anthony; a planned fourth film with Garcia and DiCaprio
In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:31Read transcript
- The first draft was written in 1979 by Dean Reisner from a Puzo story, built around Anthony as a naval officer working for the CIA in a plot to assassinate a Central American dictator; it came in too hot for the studio.
- Making Anthony an opera singer is liked by one host, while whether Michael lets him sing is called a stupid subplot and his restaurant song does not move another.
- The restaurant song works because of the Apollonia flashbacks, the only time Michael was truly happy. — Bill Simmons
- Sofia Coppola played the infant in the first film's baptism and an immigrant child in Part II, making her one of the only people in all three movies.
- About 2,000 people tried out for Anthony; nobody remembers the actor's name.
- The hosts relay that Andy Garcia once described a planned fourth film with him as Vincent and DiCaprio as young Sonny, mirroring Part II; it would now be exciting, though one view is that once Michael is dead the Godfather is dead.
- Rocky Balboa and Creed are cited as ways sequels ignored weak entries; De Niro and DiCaprio as young Sonny and Vito would be worth seeing, perhaps with Vincent facing Gotti in the late 80s.
- Coppola made only six more movies; 30 years have now passed, nearly twice the gap between the second and third films.
- Another Godfather movie would be watched if set now with grandchildren and new characters, though remakes are rejected.