The producers really wanted Brigitte Bardot for the lead role but Bardot had other contracts at the time.

According to "Sam Spiegel: The Incredible Life and Times of Hollywood's Most Iconoclastic Producer...," by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, Bardot turned down the role of Didi.

The director, peter Hunt, wanted Brigitte Bardot to play the part of Tracy, opposite George Lazenby. She was contracted to make Shalako with Sean Connery!