The original post: /r/movies by /u/FreshmenMan on 2024-12-30 06:11:37.
Question, What if Albert Finney was in Lawrence Of Arabia?
Apparently, when Brando turned down the role of T.E Lawrence, David Lean decided to try to go for a unknown for the part. He ultimately decided he wanted Albert Finney for the part and Finney went through an elaborate screen test that took 4 days to film & cast about 100,000 to convince Sam Spiegel to cast him.
From what I read, the screen test was a success and Spiegel decided to offer him the role (albeit from what I hear, reluctantly) and ask that he signed a multi year contract (up to 7 years) to Spiegel. Finney, however did not want to sign a contract to Spiegel and decided to turned down the role. Ultimately, Lean considered both Montgomery Clift & Anthony Perkins for the role before ultimately casting Peter O'Toole for the part.
Honestly, I think Finney made a mistake on turning down the role. No disrespect to O'Toole, he was great, I just wonder how Finney would of done in the role.
Also, I think it had a snowball effect as Albert Finney was also considered for & almost cast for the role of Pasha Antipov in Lean's Doctor Zhivago, but Lean was bitter that Finney turned down Lawrence and refused to cast him.
So, What if Albert Finney was in Lawrence Of Arabia?