American  and more a New Yorker than Italian, and thus wouldnt speak with  Pontis Italian accent. When asked his opinion by the Paramount  brass, Coppola said he wanted to cast either Laurence Olivier (qv)  or Marlon Brando (qv) as the Don. In a September/October 2003  "Cigar Aficionado" magazine cover story, Coppola said, "I wanted  either an Italian