Kirk Douglas wanted the role of Ben Hur, but it was given to Charlton Heston. Douglas was offered the role of Mesala, but he turned it down. Stephen Boyd took it instead.

Douglas turned down the Kid Shelleen role in Cat Ballou.

Kirk Douglas was considered for the role of Grandpa Joe.

Douglas was cast as Colonel Samuel Trautman but dropped out because the script was not true to the novel.

Kirk Douglas reportedly wanted the part of Mike Laszlo.

After starring in the 1963 Broadway version, Kirk Douglas bought the film rights but no studio would make the film. He later passed the film rights to his son Michael Douglas.

Kirk Douglas was first choice to play the duel role of Tony Wilson/Arthur Hamilton. But he would only do it if he could produce the film and director John Frankanheimer was already doing that, so Rock Hudson accepted the role.

In the powerful political thriller, Kirk Douglas had signed to play "Gen. James Mattoon Scott," but thought Burt Lancaster would be better in the role. Douglas instead took the role of "Col. Martin "Jiggs" Casey" when Lancaster signed on.

Douglas turned down the part of Sgt. J.J. Sefton in Stalag 17.