 David Fincher (qv) and Bryan Singer (qv) were both considered to  direct. Singer initially accepted, but had to withdraw when the  entire cast of _X2 (2003)_ (qv) became available for production to  begin on that film. Mike Myers (I) (qv), Ben Stiller (qv), and  Johnny Depp (qv) were all considered for the role of Chuck Barris.