Julie Christie turned down the role of Anne Boleyn.

Faye Dunaway turned down the lead role.

Olivia reportedly turned the part down. She had been the first choice to play Anne Boleyn.

Taylor begged producer Hal Wallis to give her the part of Anne Boleyn so she could keep a close eye on Richard Burton who was cast in the role of Henry VIII. Wallis thought she was much too old for the role and cast 26-year-old Genevieve Bujold instead.