 Douglas Fairbanks Jr (qv) initially wanted the double role for  himself and actually tested for it. He was devastated when it was  awarded to Ronald Coleman (qv). His father,  Douglas Fairbanks Sr (qv) consoled his son by convincing him that  it was a blessing in disguise as it was more challenging and "fun"  to play the villain of the piece. He then auditioned for the part of  "Rupert of Hentzau" and, according to David O. Selznick (qv),  "Nobody else stood a chance!"