The actor flirted with the idea of playing the Bob Fosse-like choreographer.

The actor was cast by director Bob Fosse as the driven, womanizing, Fosse-like choreographer but withdrew from the dramatic musical just before production.

Bob Fosse offered the role of Audrey Paris to MacLaine, who claims she gave Fosse the inspiration to make a movie about his experiences as a heart attack survivor. Some say MacLaine turned Fosse down because he couldn't meet her salary demands.

According to his biography by Eric Lax, Paul Newman turn down the leading role in All That Jazz.