Francis Ford Coppola Apologizes For Starting Hollywood’s Sequel Obsession: “I’m Embarrassed”

Deadline ^ | Glenn Garner

[nickcarraway]

After 50 years, Francis Ford Coppola has one regret about making what is largely considered the best sequel of all time.

According to the 5x Oscar winner, Hollywood’s ever-growing obsession with continuations is the result of his petty demands for making The Godfather Part II (1974), for which he fought Paramount Pictures on returning the director’s chair after the original 1972 was a major hit.

“They said, basically, ‘Francis, you’ve made Coca-Cola. You’re gonna stop making colas?'” recalled Coppola to The Washington Post.

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When Paramount rejected the idea, Coppola made some seemingly unreasonable demands, including a then-exorbitant $1 million paycheck and the addition of ‘Part II’ to the title (he was inspired by the Russian films Ivan the Terrible, Part I [1944] and Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars’ Plot [1958]). Although the studio thought it was a crazy idea, they ultimately agreed.

Al Pacino in The Godfather Part II (1974). “So I’m the jerk that started numbers on movies,” Coppola added. “I’m embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone.”

Meanwhile, The Godfather Part II won six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Coppola and Best Adapted Screenplay for him and author Mario Puzo. The film currently holds a 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97% audience rating.

Coppola’s comments come after this year’s Dune: Part Two and amid the wait for Wicked: Part Two, coming to theaters Nov. 21, 2025.

[PCPOET7]

did you read the article he credited his inspiration for numbering the godfather movies to a movie made 20 years prior called Ivan the great 1&2. he is only claiming to popularize the use of numbers in the titles not that he was first.

[nickcarraway]

I agree, you should. I was lucky, they played it on the big screen in San Jose in 2010. Make sure you watch The Conversations, with Gene Hackman, which Coppola made between the two movies.

[Liz]

Coppola hit it big with the Godfather movies
but his $120 million Megaloplis bombed......

So he’s making up stuff so he can pump the flop.

Probably has a lot of his own money in the bomb.

[nickcarraway]

I enjoyed all the Thin Man movies.

[Dr. Sivana]

I'm not sure if The Conversation wasn't his best movie.

That is a very, very early '70s kind of movie, filled with angst and self-doubt. I did not get to see it on the big screen (with many Coppola movies, especially "The Godfather", it makes a difference). But the half-crazed Gene Hackman with the non-ending ending is something you see a lot in that time period, and for me it is unsatisfying. Also, my streaming version of "The Conversation" had a "gritty" look to it, like it was done in Kodachrome or something (American Graffiti has that too [both with young Cindy Williams]). It goes with the atmosphere of the movie, but I don't care for it. Gene Hackman was exceptional in it. He was an AWFUL Lex Luthor.

[z3n]

I blame him for ‘Highlander 2’ and ‘Caddyshack 2’.

~~~

Haha! Two great first movies that were shamed hard by their sequels.

How about Major League 2 or Nerds 2 in Paradise.

I nominate Star Trek II Wrath of Khan as the one of the best ever sequels compared to the first one.

[Dr. Sivana]

Maybe it’s time I watched The Godfather Part II. What do you think?

Yes! It is a great sequel. If you can see it on the bog screen, do so. The casting was exceptional, especially Michael Gazzo (Frankie Pentangeli), Lee Strasburg (Hyman Roth) and Robert DeNiro (young Vito Corleone)(in that order).

It is more depressing than "The Godfather", but it has to be.

[dynachrome]

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Thanks for the tip! I’m always on the lookout for new things to watch.

I’ve been watching an enjoyable Netflix series “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Good crime / legal drama.

[Dr. Sivana]

I nominate Star Trek II Wrath of Khan as the one of the best ever sequels compared to the first one.

Excellent choice. The first one was trying to go all big budget "2001" when the movie calls for a bigger, better Star Trek TV show.

For worst sequels, I nominate Exorcist 2: The Heretic. I never saw it, but based this on the review of ZERO stars on a scale of 1 to 5.

[nickcarraway]

It made me pursue the career choice of stealing rugs. Oh wait, forget I said that.

[nickcarraway]

What about Breakin' 1: Electric Boogaloo?

[MplsSteve]

“Blues Brothers 2000” (released in 1998) was pretty bad.

It was fun to see some of the old characters back in the sequel (ex: the owner of Bob’s Country Bunker) but it was just not the same.

All things considered, the sequel shouldn’t have been made.

[newfreep]

"The Offer" is a 10-episode series of the making of the Godfather on Paramount+...with LOTS of mafia behind the scenes as told by the producer, Al Ruddy.

VERY, VERY Highly recommended!

[webheart]

Planet of the Apes came out in 1968. Beneath the Planet of the Apes came out in 1970. Escape from the Planet of the Apes came out in 1971. Just an example of how the premise of the article is flawed. Actually 2 examples. Planet of the Apes had 2 more sequels and a TV show before the complete remake and the sequels to the remakes. How many Godfather movies were there?

[Magnum44]

Beetlejuice 2 was pathetic.

[Dacula]

I enjoyed it as well UNTIL it went gay.

---

I’ve been watching an enjoyable Netflix series “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Good crime / legal drama.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“UNTIL it went gay.”

Yes, the hints of the black girl’s girlfriend just started. Ugh. So far it’s low-key, but it never EVER stays low-key.

[Zathras]

There was a “Caddyshack2”?

[HYPOCRACY]

Wrath of Khan gets my vote too. Empire Strikes Back too.