 In the original script the role of the fire chief (known at the time  as Mario Infantino) was considerably smaller. According to director  John Guillermin (qv), the role was offered to  Ernest Borgnine (qv) with Steve McQueen (I) (qv) playing the  architect. McQueen later said, "If somebody of my caliber can play  the architect, Ill play the fire chief," and Paul Newman (I) (qv)  was brought onto the project as the architect.