 Before William Holden (I) (qv) was cast, the role was turned down  by Lee Marvin (qv), Burt Lancaster (qv),  James Stewart (I) (qv), Charlton Heston (qv),  Gregory Peck (qv), Sterling Hayden (qv),  Richard Boone (I) (qv) and Robert Mitchum (qv). Marvin actually  accepted the role but pulled out after he was offered a larger pay  deal to star in _Paint Your Wagon (1969)_ (qv).