The Godfather 4: Legacy of Power (2025) marks a bold new chapter in the legendary saga, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Sylvester Stallone as Giovanni Corleone, a distant relative of Michael Corleone, and Leonardo DiCaprio as Vincent Santoro, a cunning rival. The film opens with Giovanni returning to New York after decades in Europe, summoned to restore order to the fractured Corleone empire. Haunted by the family’s violent past, Giovanni is determined to forge a new legacy, but faces immediate resistance from Vincent, an ambitious upstart who questions the old ways and seeks to modernize the family’s operations.
The story is set in the early 1990s, following Michael Corleone’s death. Giovanni’s return is met with suspicion and hostility, especially as he tries to distance the family from its criminal roots and legitimize their business. Flashbacks to Michael’s final days (using archival footage of Al Pacino) reveal secrets that threaten to destabilize the family further. Giovanni’s daughter, Sophia (Ana de Armas), becomes a key player, torn between loyalty to her father and her own ambitions.
As old enemies resurface and an international cartel moves in on Corleone territory, alliances are tested. Betrayals mount, leading to a violent showdown between Giovanni and Vincent. In a shocking twist, Sophia orchestrates a coup, revealing her own ruthless streak and seizing control of the family, leaving Giovanni exiled and Vincent dead. The film ends with Sophia standing alone at the Corleone estate, symbolizing the dawn of a new, even more formidable era for the family.
The production budget for The Godfather 4 is estimated at$150–200 million, reflecting its high-profile cast, lavish set pieces, and international locations. Early projections suggest the film could generate over$600 million in net worth income, making it one of the year’s most lucrative releases, thanks to the enduring appeal of the franchise and the star power of Stallone and DiCaprio.
