When the film began production in 1962 , the role of Louisa May Foster had been intended for Marilyn Monroe , and the original script had been tailored to fit her talents . The film had been assigned to Monroe as a part of her new contract she had signed with 20th Century Fox , stating that she would be paid $ 1 million to star in '' What a Way to Go ! '' and to complete the troubled '' Something 's Got to Give '' . After Monroe 's death , filming was postponed until Shirley MacLaine was hired the following year
Monroe 's death
Death of Marilyn Monroe
What a Way to Go!