50 years later, Francis Ford Coppola regrets producing what is largely considered the best sequel ever.
According to the 5-time Academy Award winner, Hollywood's ever-increasing obsession with continuity is a result of his frivolous demands on filmmaking. The Godfather Part Two (1974), which he fought for when Paramount Pictures brought back the director's chair after the 1972 original was a huge success.
“They said, basically, ‘Francis, you made Coca-Cola.’ ‘Are you going to stop making Coke?’” Coppola recalls. The Washington Post.
In an attempt to direct the sequel, Coppola suggested that up-and-coming director Martin Scorsese take the reins.
When Paramount rejected the idea, Coppola made some seemingly unreasonable demands, including a hefty salary of $1 million and adding “Part 2” to the title (it was inspired by Russian films). Ivan the Terrible, Part One [1944] and Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyar Conspiracy [1958]). Although the studio thought it was a crazy idea, they eventually agreed.
Al Pacino in The Godfather Part Two (1974).
“So I'm the idiot who starts numbers in movies,” Coppola added. “I feel embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone.”
Meanwhile, The Godfather Part Two It won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Coppola, and Best Adapted Screenplay for him and Mario Puzo. The film currently holds a 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97% audience rating.
Coppola's comments follow comments from this year Sand Dunes: Part Two And in the middle of waiting Wicked: Part Twocoming to theaters on November 21, 2025.
