 Dustin Hoffman (qv) and Anne Bancroft (I) (qv) were the not  quickly chosen for the leads of this film. Warren Beatty (qv) was  originally going to be the lead, but after he did not get the role,  Robert Redford (I) (qv) was selected. Patricia Neal (qv) was  considered, but reportedly declined because she was uneasy about  playing a lead role so soon after having a stroke.