Gregory Peck was originally cast in the male lead role , but he refused the role after Miller 's rewrite . Cary Grant , Charlton Heston , Yul Brynner and Rock Hudson also refused the role before it was offered to Yves Montand . Gregory Peck was originally cast in the male lead role , but he refused the role after Miller 's rewrite ; Cary Grant , Charlton Heston , Yul Brynner and Rock Hudson also refused the role before it was offered to Yves Montand .