I heard that Burt Lancaster was originally cast to play Demetrius in the ROBE. I'd never heard that before. Does anyone know if that is true? If it is true, what was the reason the role eventually was played by Victor Mature?
shareI've never heard that, topaz27, but I think Victor Mature made a first rate Demetrius. It may be that Burt Lancaster was under contract with Paramount and they didn't want loan him to 20th Century Fox.
Just a guess.
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
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I heard he was also considered for Samson in another one of Victor Mature's classic trademark roles. Lancaster was also considered for Ben-Hur, but he turned it down. Thank God. Charlton Heston is Ben-Hur. Maybe Lancaster would've made a good Messala.
shareThis is claimed in the "making of" video that is on the new blu-ray version of The Robe that was just released.
I have no good reason and suspect that monkeys possess some sort of soul. Geode
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