 Montgomery Clift (qv), signed to play the part of Joe Gillis,  broke his contract just two weeks prior to the start of shooting.  Billy Wilder (qv) quickly offered the role to  Fred MacMurray (qv), who turned it down because he didnt want to  play a gigolo. Marlon Brando (qv) was considered, but the  producers thought he was too much of an unknown as a film actor.  Gene Kelly (I) (qv) was then approached, but MGM refused to loan  him out. Reluctantly, Wilder met with William Holden (I) (qv),  whose films to that time had not impressed Wilder. They eventually  worked together on several films and became longtime friends.