I, too don't think that Diaz could play an italian, while brando was made too look italian because as Coppolla an Puzo saw it, he was the only actor who had the on screen prescence to play Vito. I think, probably a few people could play Nicole as well as Diaz, plus her look is too American.

Also, i think that Scorcesi's new movie, if your talking about Gangs of New York, isn't actually a Mafia movie.