Carrey was originally considered to play Howard Hughes.

Bob Hoskins was considered to play U.S. Senator Ralph Owen Brewster, a role that earned Alan Alda an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Nicole Kidman was considered to play the part of Katharine Hepburn.

Christopher Nolan was attached to direct the Howard Hughes biopic and even penned down a screenplay which he called "the best thing he had ever written."

Had originally agreed to play Ava Gardner but dropped out.