 In 1958 Joan Collins (I) (qv) was cast in the title role, but  after several delays she became unavailable. Collins had previously  starred in a similar role in _Land of the Pharaohs (1955)_ (qv).  After Collins departure, Audrey Hepburn (qv) was considered as a  replacement by producer Walter Wanger (qv). Wanger then offered  the role to Elizabeth Taylor (I) (qv). He called her on the set of  her latest film, _Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)_ (qv) and related the  offer through Taylors then husband Eddie Fisher (qv) who had  answered the phone. As a joke, Taylor replied "Sure, tell him Ill  do it for a million dollars." This then unheard