 James Stewart (I) (qv) was very interested in starring in this  movie, begging Alfred Hitchcock (I) (qv) to let him play  Thornhill. Hitchcock claimed that _Vertigo (1958)_ (qv)s lack of  financial success was because Stewart "looked too old". MGM wanted  Gregory Peck (qv), but Hitchcock instead cast Cary Grant (qv),  who was actually 4 years Stewarts senior.