 Carole Bouquet (qv) was Mike Newell (I) (qv)s first choice for  the role of Madame Maxime but declined because Studio Canal (the  studio she was contracted) refused to give permission for her to  negotiate for the role. Others considered for the role were  Catherine Deneuve (qv), Audrey Tautou (qv) and  Emmanuelle Seigner (qv).