 When it came time to cast the film, writer Bruce Joel Rubin  suggested Patrick Swayze for the role of Sam Wheat. Director Jerry  Zucker felt that Swayze was completely wrong for the part. Many  actors that included Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Kevin Bacon, Bruce  Willis, Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin were all offered the part but  all turned it down feeling that playing a ghost would be cheesy.  Zucker then decided to audition Swayze though he thought he would  blow the audition. To Zuckers surprise, Swayze did a great audition  and he was cast immediately in the part.