Originally posted by AppleOnYa:
FFC considered Laurence Olivier for the role of Vito Corleone, in fact I think he was Coppola's FIRST choice even over Brando!
The whole scene between Tom Hayden and Jack Woltz "Johnny Fontaine never gets that movie" was used by FCC when fighting for Brando. The studio wanted Olivier not Brando. FCC always wanted Brando. Another actor considered for the part was Gene Hackman. He had first dibs on the book but later changed his mind, stating it was too violent
