Marlon Brando was cast as William Randolph Hearst, but eventually dropped out.

Gene Hackman was considered to replace Marlon Brando in the role of William Randolph Hearst. The film was eventually scaled down to a TV movie.

Dustin Hoffman was cast as Herman J. Mankiewicz, but eventually dropped out.

Madonna was cast as Marion Davies, but lost the role after the film was scaled down to a TV movie.

Edward Norton was cast as "Citizen Kane" director Orson Welles, but lost the role after the film was scaled down to a TV movie.

Al Pacino was considered to replace Dustin Hoffman in the role of Herman J. Mankiewicz. The film was eventually scaled down to a TV movie.

Ridley Scott was slated to direct, but eventually dropped out.

Meryl Streep was cast as Louella Parsons, but lost the role after the film was scaled down to a TV movie.