Paramount Could Lose Godfather Rights

[TheAnimeLegend]

Back in May, Paramount Pictures and the estate of author Mario Puzo struck a deal to allow the release of a new Godfather book. However, in recent weeks, that agreement has turned sour.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Puzo estate has filed a counterclaim targeting the rights granted to Paramount back in 1969. Should the estate's settlement go through, the studio would no longer be able to make any more Godfather movies.

The conflict began earlier this year as the Puzo estate had licensed a new book called The Family Corleone, which depicted Vito Corleone's rise to power in Depression-era New York. Paramount sued last February, claiming that the new book would "tarnish" the Godfather legacy.

While the two parties eventually struck the aforementioned deal allowing the book to publish, Puzo's estate has since sought to reclaim the property, which would leave the door open for another studio to make a new Godfather film.

Whatever comes, Paramount's ownership of the first three movies will be unimpaired.

[csdot]

good.

[EmperorClobbersaurus]

Shouldn't this just be a case of whoever owns the characters? If Puzo's estate owns them, they can do whatever they want with them.

[The Apocalypse]

There's no need to make another Godfather film. They're good as they are

[BrentLW]

Originally Posted by RachaelLane1984

Paramount sued last February, claiming that the new book would "tarnish" the Godfather legacy.

That's rather ironic coming from the studio that brought us Godfather 3

[TheAnimeLegend]

I know there are a lot of fans who didn't care much for Godfather 3, and while that's true it wasn't the best of the series at the same time it's not that bad either at least in my IMO anyway.

[mport5150]

Originally Posted by RachaelLane1984

I know there are a lot of fans who didn't care much for Godfather 3, and while that's true it wasn't the best of the series at the same time it's not that bad either at least in my IMO anyway.

Agreed...."I try to get out, but they pull me back in!"

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by RachaelLane1984

I know there are a lot of fans who didn't care much for Godfather 3, and while that's true it wasn't the best of the series at the same time it's not that bad either at least in my IMO anyway.

Totally with ya. And, tell me the final scene isnt completely awesome?

[Show spoiler]When they show Michael remembering all of the women in his life that were important to him. Its really a great scene, IMO.

[TheAnimeLegend]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Totally with ya. And, tell me the final scene isnt completely awesome?

[Show spoiler]When they show Michael remembering all of the women in his life that were important to him. Its really a great scene, IMO.

100% agree with you there. Here is one my favorite scenes from the Godfather Part 3. I absolutely LOVE this scene!

Michael Apologizes to Kay SCENE - The Godfather: Part 3 MOVIE (1990) - HD - YouTube

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by csdot

good.

Except it isn't because Paramount haven't made a Godfather film since 1990. They're happy leaving them as they are. The point of this story isn't that this will stop Paramount making anymore Godfather films (as that isn't a danger), it's that the rights will be open for another studio to buy - a studio who will want to make more Godfather films.

Let's face it, if you're a film studio and the rights to one of the greatest and most iconic film franchises come up and you can get them, you will. And when you do - bearing in mind they can't profit off the existing films as Paramount will retain control - then you're going to want to make good on your investment by making another film.

[Agent Bond]

I know there are a lot of fans who didn't care much for Godfather 3, and while that's true it wasn't the best of the series at the same time it's not that bad either at least in my IMO anyway.

100% agreed. Had Robert Duvall been in it, the incest angle dropped, and a better ending made

[Show spoiler]I really hated how they rushed Michael's death so just to show people no more GF movies

, GF3 would've been held in higher regard. Also, too much hate for Sophia Coppola. Yeah, her acting wasn't great, but I've seen worse. Far worse.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

100% agreed. Had Robert Duvall been in it, the incest angle dropped, and a better ending made

[Show spoiler]I really hated how they rushed Michael's death so just to show people no more GF movies

, GF3 would've been held in higher regard. Also, too much hate for Sophia Coppola. Yeah, her acting wasn't great, but I've seen worse. Far worse.

So aside from that the play was pretty good, Mrs Lincoln?

[Kevin Holly]

There were plans for a Godfather IV with Garcia as the don, and unlike the previous dons, getting heavily involved in drugs and by the end, the Corleone family is completely ruined. But Puzo died.

That would have been an awesome movie, but Garcia is getting older.

[legendarymatt92]

I'm glad they capped the series when they did - Godfather 3 wasn't a terrible film by any stretch of the imagination, but you could see that the strain was showing. The fourth wouldn't have been an original idea, and I'm sure that it would have been more about capitalising on the success of the series than actually continuing the story logically.

Hopefully the rights are purchased by a company who has no plans to make another Godfather film yet, or they're lost in obscurity somewhere, so no one can ever taint the name by making some crap.

[Walts Ghost]

There are so many newer Godfather books, all approved by the Puzo family, so I could see why they might be thinking of more movies. I'm not saying I approve, but I could see where this might be headed. I like all three of the Godfather films, and I'd much rather they get left as they are.

[jwerk]

Originally Posted by octagon

So aside from that the play was pretty good, Mrs Lincoln?

[Blu Ian]

Godfather 3 is a fantastic movie.

Don't get the hate at all.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

Except it isn't because Paramount haven't made a Godfather film since 1990. They're happy leaving them as they are. The point of this story isn't that this will stop Paramount making anymore Godfather films (as that isn't a danger), it's that the rights will be open for another studio to buy - a studio who will want to make more Godfather films.

Let's face it, if you're a film studio and the rights to one of the greatest and most iconic film franchises come up and you can get them, you will. And when you do - bearing in mind they can't profit off the existing films as Paramount will retain control - then you're going to want to make good on your investment by making another film.

Everything you said is the truth. This is a power play by the Puzo estate so they can option a remake or sequel to another studio, making more money for themselves. Paramount does not want to tarnish the originals' reputation and has blocked any attempt for another sequel or remake.

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by Blu Ian

Godfather 3 is a fantastic movie.

Don't get the hate at all.

Because it's "only" fantastic, as opposed to mindblowingly and revolutionary like the first too.

[Agent Bond]

Don't get the hate at all.

She's all her fault according to the haters.