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Francis Ford Coppola thinks that the situation is more complicated. "The atmosphere at Paramount is very charged. Charles Bluhdorn is like the Godfather, Frank is like Sonny, and Bob is like Michael. They compete for his attention." Many movie insiders agree that Bluhdorn, who insists to the press that he takes no part in Paramount decisions even though his Gulf & Western company owns the studio, plays his corporate sons off against each other. Evans is his particular protégé.
Some movie executives argue that despite his thorough knowledge of marketing, Yablans will not really be tested until he has to run Paramount without benefit of a Godfather-power superhit. Yablans may not stay around to prove himself. He has five more years to go on his contract and is already wondering aloud if he could break it to go into politics. "I'd like to run for elective office," he states with his customary candor. "And there is no sense unless you go all the way. Yes, I'd like to be President of the United States."