Michael Corleone

Michael returns to the United States in 1950{{cite AV media | people=Coppola, Francis Ford (Director), Puzo, Mario (screenwriter) | date=March 29, 1971 | title=The Godfather, early script | url=http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Godfather.html | medium=Motion picture | location=United States | publisher=Internet Movie Script Database}} and assumes Sonny's role as Vito's heir apparent. After Vito's suspicions are confirmed that Don [[Emilio Barzini]] ([[Richard Conte]]), his main rival in [[New York City]], is the mastermind of his shooting and Sonny's murder, he and Michael begin a secret, complex plot to wipe out the other New York Dons. They deliberately allow their rivals to whittle away at Corleone interests to lull them into inaction. Meanwhile, Michael convinces his father that it is time to remove the family from crime. More than a year following his return, Michael reunites with Kay and they marry. He promises her the Corleone family will be completely legitimate in five years. Within three years, they have two children, [[Anthony Corleone|Anthony]] and [[Mary Corleone|Mary]].

Michael returns to the United States in 1950{{cite AV media | people=Coppola, Francis Ford (Director), Puzo, Mario (screenwriter) | date=March 29, 1971 | title=The Godfather, early script | url=http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Godfather.html | medium=Motion picture | location=United States | publisher=Internet Movie Script Database}} and assumes Sonny's role as Vito's heir apparent. After Vito's suspicions are confirmed that Don [[Emilio Barzini]] ([[Richard Conte]]), his main rival in [[New York City]], is the mastermind of his shooting and Sonny's murder, he and Michael begin a secret, complex plot to wipe out the other New York Dons. They deliberately allow their rivals to whittle away at Corleone interests to lull them into inaction. Meanwhile, Michael convinces his father that it is time to remove the family from crime. More than a year following his return, Michael reunites with Kay and they marry. He promises her the Corleone family will be completely legitimate in five years. Within three years, they have two children, [[Anthony Corleone|Anthony]] and [[Mary Corleone|Mary]].

Vito semi-retires in 1954, and Michael becomes operating head of the family. He offers to buy out casino owner [[Moe Greene]]'s ([[Alex Rocco]]) stake in the [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] casino that the Corleones bankrolled, intending to move the family to [[Nevada]] as part of his effort to legitimize the Corleone interests; Greene refuses to sell. Corleone family ''caporegimes'' [[Salvatore Tessio]] ([[Abe Vigoda]]) and Clemenza request permission to begin operating their own families in Corleone territory. Michael, with Vito's support, advises them to be patient and wait until the move to Las Vegas is completed. Tessio and Clemenza agree, but are clearly dissatisfied.

Vito semi-retires in 1954, and Michael becomes operating head of the family. He offers to buy out casino owner [[Moe Greene]]'s ([[Alex Rocco]]) stake in the [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] casino the Corleones bankrolled, intending to move the family to [[Nevada]] as part of his effort to legitimize the Corleone interests; Greene refuses to sell. Corleone family ''caporegimes'' [[Salvatore Tessio]] ([[Abe Vigoda]]) and Clemenza request permission to begin operating their own families in Corleone territory. Michael, with Vito's support, advises them to be patient and wait until the move to Las Vegas is completed. Tessio and Clemenza agree, but are clearly dissatisfied.

In 1955, Vito warns Michael that Barzini will likely attempt to assassinate Michael under the pretense of negotiating peace between the families, using a disloyal contact within the Corleone regime. Whoever approaches Michael about the meeting, Vito explains, will be the traitor within the family. Shortly thereafter, Vito dies of a heart attack while playing with his grandson Anthony in his tomato garden.

In 1955, Vito warns Michael that Barzini will likely attempt to assassinate Michael under the pretense of negotiating peace between the families, using a disloyal contact within the Corleone regime. Whoever approaches Michael about the meeting, Vito explains, will be the traitor within the family. Shortly thereafter, Vito dies of a heart attack while playing with his grandson Anthony in his tomato garden.