Wiseguys

[Godfather]

Francis Ford Coppola is none too pleased with Electronic Arts' adaptation of his classic mob movie.

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot
Posted Apr 8, 2005 5:31 pm PT

When Electronic Arts announced it was adapting The Godfather last year, many cinephiles wondered how the operatic mafia drama would translate into a game. Then this year, it was revealed that Robert Duvall, James Caan, and the late Marlon Brando had all recorded voice-overs for it. The involvement of the stars gave the project a big boost in the credibility department, raising hopes for the game.

Now, however, the man primarily responsible for The Godfather film is speaking out against the Godfather game. According to several wire services, writer-director Francis Ford Coppola expressed his displeasure with Paramount Pictures for selling off the game rights on the American Movie Classics cable network show Sunday Morning ShootOut.

"I knew nothing about it. They never asked me if I thought it was a good idea," he reportedly said. His ire was further riled when he was given a preview build of the game by EA. "They use the characters everyone knows, and then for the next hour they shoot and kill each other. I had absolutely nothing to do with the game, and I disapprove," he was quoted as saying.

[Benny C]

I agree, it did cheapen the movie. But hey, it sells. Scarface did the same thing.

[Capo di Tutti i Capi]

"I knew nothing about it. They never asked me if I thought it was a good idea,"

I think he was just irate because he wasn't involved in the process. Had they contacted him early on and maybe even asked for his input, his attitude would have been different. The game probably would have recieved his blessing under other circomstances.