 After a month went by with Marlon Brando (qv) failing to respond  to David Lean (I) (qv)s written inquiry into whether he wanted to  play Viktor Komarovsky, he offered the part to  James Mason (I) (qv), who accepted. Lean, who had wanted to cast  Brando as _Lawrence of Arabia (1962)_ (qv) and offered him roles in  _Ryans Daughter (1970)_ (qv) and his unmade "Nostromo", decided on  Mason as he did not want an actor to overpower the character of Yuri  Zhivago. Mason eventually dropped out and Rod Steiger (qv)  accepted the role. Steiger eventually would be involved in the  filming of "Dr. Zhivago" for the better part of a year, which may  have been a reason that both Brando and Mason shunned the role.