 One of the attractions of adapting the film for author  John Irving (I) (qv) was that he wanted his son,  Colin Irving (I) (qv), to play Wally Winslow. However, as the  development process took over a decade, eventually his son was too  old for the part and was not known enough to be considered for it in  any event. However, the role of Major Winslow did ultimately provide  Colin Irving a part in the film.