The Godfather III to be re-edited by Francis Ford Coppola – with a new title and different ending

Just when he thought he was out...

Francis Ford Coppola has announced that he plans to release a new version of The Godfather: Part III – complete with a different ending.

While the first two Godfather films are considered timeless classics of cinema, the third entry, released in 1990, is widely considered a disappointment.

The new cut will be entitled Mario Puzo's The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.

Coppola described the new name as "an acknowledgement of Mario’s and my preferred title and our original intentions for what became The Godfather: Part III".

The Godfather films are based on the hit novels by Mario Puzo, and follow the rise of war veteran Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) within the ranks of the New York Mafia.

“For this version of the finale, I created a new beginning and ending, and rearranged some scenes, shots, and music cues,” Coppola said in a statement. “With these changes and the restored footage and sound, to me, it is a more appropriate conclusion to The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II.”

The new edit will also include a 4K restoration, with enhancements made to its original 5.1 audio mix.

The restoration team reportedly sifted through 300 cartons of negative film in order to replace more than 50 lower-resolution parts of the movie, as well as repairing scratches, stains and other visual blemishes which previous releases had been unable to.

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in 'The Godfather: Part III', released in 1990

Before its full home release, The Godfather, Coda will screen in select cinemas this December.

Coppola oversaw restorations of the first two Godfather films in 2008, which did not include any changes to the plot or titles