By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-05 17:07:31 | Updated at 2024-12-22 16:49:32
2 weeks ago
Francis Ford Coppola has graciously apologized for starting the Hollywood trend of making sequel films, admitting that he's a 'jerk' for doing so.
Two years after making The Godfather, the acclaimed director, 85, famously made The Godfather Part II in 1974, which is widely known as one of the best follow up movies of all time.
According to Coppola though, he tried to get out of making the second film by insisting on crazy demands - even suggesting new director on the block Martin Scorsese to direct it.
After much back and forth with Paramount Pictures, however, Coppola asked for a high fee of $1 million ($6 million in 2024), which they agreed to.
He also stated that he wanted to name the film The Godfather Part II, which was a novel idea in Hollywood at the time as numbered sequels were not yet a thing.
Although execs thought him to be 'nuts,' they greenlit it.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Coppola said: 'They said, basically, "Francis, you've made Coca-Cola. You're gonna stop making colas?"
'So, I'm the jerk that started numbers on movies.'
Francis Ford Coppola has apologized for starting the Hollywood trend of making sequel films
He famously made The Godfather Part II in 1974, starring John Cazale and Al Pacino (pictured)
He added: 'I'm embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone.'
Coppola's apology comes after sequel films have been branded stale.
Starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, The Godfather Part II presents two dramas.
The first, picks up the 1958 story of Michael Corleone (Pacino), the new Don of the Corleone family, protecting the family business in the aftermath of an attempt on his life.
The second follows his father Vito Corleone (De Niro), from his Sicilian childhood to the founding of his family enterprise in New York City.
Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Marianna Hill and Lee Strasberg also star.
Coppola's film is that real rarity, a sequel that is as compelling as the original.
The Godfather Part II was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, and became the first sequel to win Best Picture.
Seen here from left, Bruno Kirby as a young Peter Clemenza, Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone and John Aprea (back to camera) as a young Sal Tessio
Coppola revealed he made a load of demands in a bid to get out of making the sequel
Its six Oscar wins also included Best Director for Coppola, Best Supporting Actor for De Niro and Best Adapted Screenplay for Coppola and Puzo.
Pacino won Best Actor at the BAFTAs and was nominated at the Oscars.
Coppola's comments come after a huge year of sequel movies in cinemas across the globe.
Dune: Part Two, starring Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, and Zendaya, was released in theaters in March.
It was the sequel to the 2021 film Dune, an epic science fiction set in the distant future.
Inside Out 2 hit cinemas in June, nine years after the original Pixar film premiered.
In a recent interview, he said: 'So, I'm the jerk that started numbers on movies. I'm embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone'
Hollywood has been hard at work making sequels this year, including Moana 2
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a follow up to Tim Burton's 1988 comedy horror, came out in September.
The movie saw Micheal Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara reprise their roles alongside new cast members, including Jenna Ortega and Justin Theroux.
More recently, Gladiator 2 hit cinemas in October.
The Ridley Scott sequel, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joeseph Quinn and Denzel Washington, was released 24 years after the five-time Oscar-winning original.
Disney's Moana 2, the sequel to the beloved animated film Moana, arrived last week and follows the titular character venturing to the far seas of Oceania.
Looking ahead to next year, and Wicked: Part Two is set for release in November 2025.
