 William Holden (I) (qv) was the original choice to star in the  first film, _Omen, The (1976)_ (qv), but turned it down as he did  not want to star in a picture about the devil. Gregory Peck (qv)  was selected as his replacement. "The Omen" went on to become a huge  hit and Holden made sure he did not turn down the part in this  sequel.