Ben Stiller was the original choice to play Brian Fantana. He does have a brief cameo in the film as a Spanish news anchor.

The role of the sex-addicted, alcoholic ex-figure skating champion was intended for Stiller who decided it was too much like other roles he had played. Instead, he was one of the film's producers.

Ben Stiller was considered for the role of Willy Wonka.

Mentioned as a possible star of the film about game show creator and self-styled "spy" Chuck Barris.

The role of Lenny (originally a male character) was written for Ben Stiller, but he had to back out because his son was born just before filming.

The studio dropped this futuristic comedy project, which Jay Roach was supposed to direct starring Stiller and Jim Carrey, when the proposed budget hit $112 million.

Stiller has been talking since the mid-1990s about starring as the despicable user who schemes his way into running a Hollywood studio.

Ben Stiller (as the No, No, No Guy) was originally going to play the character of Maury. He instead opted to have his father play the role and used the No, No, No guy in Starsky and Hutch.