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Roles turned down by Gene Kelly:
Turned down the chance to direct the movie version of the Kander-Ebb musical set in Berlin.
Actor who got the part: Bob Fosse
Was scheduled to play the leading role but broke his ankle playing touch football.
Actor who got the part: Fred Astaire
Kelly was envisioned as one of four stars of this MGM musical directed by Stanley Donen after "Singin' In the Rain."
Actor who got the part: Bob Fosse
Campaigned hard to play the dynamic, sexy role of gambler "Sky Masterson."
Actor who got the part: Marlon Brando
Kelly was promised the title role in the movie version of the hit musical in which he'd made a hit in 1940. It took so long to get the movie project going that Kelly was by then a star at MGM and lost the role.
Actor who got the part: Frank Sinatra
In 1955, Ray Bradbury developed a screen treatment of his short story "The Black Ferris" specifically for his friend Kelly, the great singer and dancer. Kelly failed to raise the production money to make the film. Bradbury developed it instead as a novel, which he dedicated to Kelly.
MGM had promised him the role and cast Brando instead. This was the last straw for Kelly who left MGM soon after.
Actor who got the part: Marlon Brando
Did you know that Gene Kelly was not the only choice for these movies? (click to learn more)
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