The planned assassination of Don Corleone - The Godfather

Question

In The Godfather, Sollozzo and the Tattaglia's attempt to assassinate Don Corleone. He is shot several times in the back but survives.

An hour before the assassination Sollozzo picks up Tom Hagen. He tells him that the Don had to be killed as he stood in the way of his plans. He also asks "Sonny was hot for the deal wasn't he?". This is because he spoke up at the earlier meeting between Don Corleone and Sollozzo. Sollozzo asks Tom to make the peace between Sonny and himself.

Was Sonny speaking up at the meeting a major factor in the planned assassination of Don Corleone? Would it have taken place if he didn't speak up?

Answer 1

My interpretation would be yes, it was a key factor and the assassination attempt would not have taken place if Sonny had not tipped Sollozzo off to the difference in opinion between himself and the Don. By doing so, Sonny effectively showed Sollozzo that the Don was all that was standing in the way of his plans, and removing him would clear the way for said plans by putting the more amenable Sonny in charge. Had Sonny kept his mouth shut, there would have been no obvious advantage to Sollozzo to remove the Don at that point. (which is not to say the plot couldn't have contrived one, or that something similar wouldn't have gone down at a later date anyway)