In a film industry that seems to always be on the hunt for the next big franchise, we’ve seen studios dig deep into their libraries to mind for box office gold. And as we pointed out in a recent deep dive into this trend, studios are increasingly looking at prestige films as a previously untapped resource to generate interest in a project. Well, it appears that one of the most sacred of prestige franchises, “The Godfather,” is not immune to this, as Paramount teases the possibility that a fourth film could be made.
In a statement given to The New York Times, Paramount didn’t outright say that a new “Godfather” film was being made…but the studio sure didn’t deny that it was ever going to happen, teasing that the popularity of the Francis Ford Coppola-directed trilogy means there could always be a new feature down the line.
“While there are no imminent plans for another film in the ‘Godfather’ saga, given the enduring power of its legacy it remains a possibility if the right story emerges,” said the statement.
READ MORE: Armie Hammer To Star In Making-Of ‘The Godfather’ Series For Paramount+
This comment comes on the heels of Armie Hammer being announced as a star in the forthcoming Paramount+ (yes, the studio’s streaming service just added a ‘+’ at the end because, well, Disney did it too) series based on the behind-the-scenes drama during the production of the first “Godfather” film decades ago. This is also happening while a film about the very same topic is being directed by Barry Levinson that has nothing to do with the series but is also based on the making of the film. Oh, and let’s not forget that Coppola is just about to release a new cut of “The Godfather Part III,” offering fans a better version of the disappointing sequel.
All that to say, “The Godfather” is “hot” right now, and we all know what happens when studios feel like a franchise has some buzz going for it. SEQUELS!
Of course, that doesn’t mean a sequel, remake, reboot, or whatever is around the corner. It’s highly unlikely that Francis Ford Coppola will ever return to make a new film. And while it’s been years since author Mario Puzo’s passing, there have been sequels and a prequel to his book series that have been released by other authors, offering Paramount the inspiration for what a fourth film might look like.
Basically, just because it doesn’t seem likely now doesn’t mean that we couldn’t hear about “The Godfather Part IV: The New Blood” soon. Brace yourselves, people.