The Godfather trilogy is regarded as one of the greatest film series of all time, yet not without its divisive moments. The Godfather Part III is widely considered the weakest of the trilogy, but remains an accepted part of the saga, despite its frustrating choices. One choice that left many fans confused, and, frankly, upset, was Vincent Mancini’s takeover as Don of the Corleone family.

Introduced in Part III, Vincent seemed like a rushed and questionable choice to lead the family, especially given that Sonny Corleone had other children – legitimate heirs who could have carried on the Corleone name. So, why choose Vincent, an illegitimate son, with little apparent connection to the family business? However, a deleted scene from The Godfather Part II sheds light on this choice, explaining why Sonny’s other children were left out of the family business entirely, leaving Vincent as the most viable option as Michael’s replacement.

Vincent Mancini Took Over from Michael in Godfather Part III

The Godfather Part III is one of the most divisive films in the franchise. While the first two films are universally regarded as masterpieces, the third entry has faced a mixed reception, criticized for its plot, performances, and pacing. However, one of its most frustrating aspects is how Vincent Mancini rises to power, seemingly from nowhere, to become the new Don.

Most audiences remember Vincent Mancini as the illegitimate son of Sonny Corleone . Introduced in Part III, Vincent begins as a low-level enforcer before being taken under Michael’s wing. Despite his impulsive nature, he proves himself valuable to the family, eventually earning Michael’s blessing to become the new Don. However, the film offers little background on Vincent’s early years, making his rise feel somewhat rushed.

Vincent is the out-of-wedlock son of Sonny Corleone and Lucy Mancini, born shortly after Sonny’s assassination at the toll booth in The Godfather. Raised by his mother away from the Corleone family, Vincent grew up with only a distant connection to his relatives. Unlike Michael, who was groomed for leadership, Vincent was never truly considered part of the family’s inner circle. By the time The Godfather Part III takes place in 1979, Vincent is an ambitious man with a reputation for handling problems with violence. He first appears at a gathering honoring Michael, where he clashes with Joey Zasa, a mafioso who controls the Corleone family’s New York interests. After Zasa insults Vincent, calling him a "bastard," Vincent reacts by biting off a piece of his ear – an act that impresses Michael.

Now aging, Michael sees his late brother in Vincent, allowing him to prove himself. Throughout the film, Vincent becomes involved in the family’s dealings, protecting Michael from assassination attempts and orchestrating a retaliation against their enemies. By the film’s climax, Michael officially names Vincent as his successor, instructing him to take the Corleone name and become the new Don.

A Deleted Scene in Godfather Part II Explains Why Sonny’s Children Aren’t Brought into the Family Business

The deleted Godfather Part II scene offers an insight into the lives of Sonny Corleone’s legitimate children, with an explanation for their absence from the family’s empire. The scene takes place during Michael’s reign as Don, when Francessca, Sonny’s daughter, approaches him for his blessing before her wedding. Their conversation is brief yet significant, portraying Michael in a more compassionate light, while also confirming that Sonny’s children were shielded from the Corleone family violence.

The scene hints at an unspoken rule within the family. Michael admits he sees his niece and her siblings as his own, raising them since their father’s death. Despite his involvement in the darker aspects of the family legacy, he respects this arrangement, ensuring that Francesca and her siblings are not forced into a life of crime. This is supported by Francesca’s comment about her uncle being "a good man", suggesting she and her siblings have very little knowledge of the family’s dealings beyond what they see on the surface.

And, when viewed in the broader context of the trilogy, this decision makes sense. By the time Michael came into power, he had learned to prioritize practicality over sentiment. Keeping Sonny’s children away from the family’s dealings is not only an act of protection but a move to reduce their vulnerability to the dangers in the Corleone name.

The most important moment in this scene is when Michael explains that he sees Sonny’s legitimate children as his own. And, given that Michael didn’t meet Vincent until he was grown and played no part in raising him (like he did with the others), it makes sense that he didn’t feel the same obligation to shield him. And, as Vincent does share the same Corleone blood and proved himself as a reliable Don, it also makes sense that Michael would trust him with the future of the family. Vincent was also already involved in the criminal world by the time he met Michael, so he didn’t share the same innocence Michael viewed of his siblings.

There was No One Else to Replace Michael

As Michael neared the end of his reign in Godfather Part III, the question of succession became central to the plot. While Michael ultimately chooses Vincent Mancini to inherit the family business, many fans have questioned why Vincent was the only viable candidate. After all, Michael had several other family members who could have potentially taken the reins. But the reality is, no one could have succeeded Michael in the way Vincent ultimately did.

From an early age, Michael’s son, Anthony, was seen as a potential heir to the Corleone family. Anthony was intelligent and perceptive, and his ability to read at age three was a sign of his sharp mind. However, Anthony’s interests veered far from the violent world his father controlled. He found solace in music, particularly opera, and his relationship with the family business was strained from the beginning. By the time of The Godfather Part III, Anthony had already distanced himself from the criminal empire, had quit law school, and chose to pursue an operatic career instead. Anthony was resolute in his decision to have nothing to do with the criminal side of the family, a decision that ruled him out as Michael’s successor.

Anthony is the first and only son of Michael and Kay Corleone. The pair also share a daughter, Mary Corleone.

Another family member who could have been considered was Michael Rizzi, the younger son of Connie Corleone. Named after his uncle, he shared the Corleone bloodline and had the potential to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. However, like his cousin Anthony, Michael Rizzi was never brought into the fold of the family business.

The biggest thing to consider is that the name alone isn’t enough. Michael’s replacement had to share the same values and understand the realities of the world he was entering. This is where Vincent stood out. He had the experience and the connection to the family. That’s why Michael’s choice to pass on the family business to Vincent made the most sense. Even with his faults, Vincent had the spirit of the Corleone name and was the only viable candidate who could succeed Michael, carry on the family legacy, and protect the empire that Michael had worked so hard to build. As much as he may have wished for a different future for his family, Michael ultimately chose the path that ensured the survival of the Corleone legacy.

Leaving this deleted scene out of Godfather Part II was a mistake, as it provides context for Michael’s decision in Part III. Without it, audiences were left to wonder why Sonny’s other children were never considered, making Vincent’s sudden rise feel unearned. Ultimately, Vincent was chosen because he was the only one both willing and capable of taking on the role. Sonny’s legitimate children were deliberately kept out, Anthony rejected the family legacy, and there were no other viable successors. He wasn’t the perfect choice, but he was the only choice – one that, with the right context, makes far more sense than it initially seemed.