John Gielgud was George Bernard Shaw's first choice for the role of Caesar, but turned it down because he disliked director Gabriel Pascal.

John Gielgud turned down the role of Emperor Tiberius Caesar, calling the part "pure pornography." He did accept the smaller role of a Roman Senator.

Turned down the role of "General Sutherland" in the prestigious movie version of Leon Uris's bestselling novel about the founding of the state of Israel.

John Gielgud was approached by producer Alexander Korda about immortalizing his stage performance on film, but turned the offer down because he didn't enjoy filming at that point in his career.

Lobbied to be cast as the Chorus in Olivier's film of Shakespeare's play, but was turned down.

Gielgud was cast in the role of Dr. Armstrong but left after disagreements arose over his salary.

John Gielgud was originally cast as Elliott Templeton, but replaced at the insistence of star Bill Murray.

Gielgud was the first actor to be offered the role of Romeo, but turned it down because he didn't think Shakespeare could be effectively produced on film.

Gielgud was going to play his favorite role of Prospero in a film of Shakespeare's play directed by Orson Welles, but the funding fell through after the financial failure of their first film partnership "Chimes at Midnight."

John Gielgud originally recorded the entire narration for the film, but was replaced by director Woody Allen who determined that his voice sounded "too grand".