Clift felt he was too old to play the role of Cal Trask, stating in an interview "the part would have come out as a maladjusted neurotic instead of a mixed-up boy."

Tested with James Dean for the role of Dean's character's brother, "Aron Trask."

Perkins auditioned for director Elia Kazan, who didn't give him the role but who offered him the chance to take over the lead role in the Kazan-directed Broadway stage smash hit "Tea and Sympathy."