Hiller says "we tested eight or nine different actors and Ryan was the best. He didn't bowl us over at first. Then I saw some footage of a film he was just completing at 20th Century Fox and I thought it would be wonderful. He just had that empathy and feeling that was so necessary." According to a contemporary account, O'Neal was tested on the recommendation of Erich Segal, who had worked with him on The Games; he was paid $25,000. Evans later claimed he insisted O'Neal be cast because he made the best test, over the objections of Hiller who wanted Walken.
hiller says "we tested eight or nine different actors and ryan was the best he didn't bowl us over at first then i saw some footage of a film he was just completing at 20th century fox and i thought it would be wonderful he just had that empathy and feeling that was so necessary" according to a contemporary account o'neal was tested on the recommendation of erich segal who had worked with him on the games; he was paid $25000 evans later claimed he insisted o'neal be cast because he made the best test over the objections of hiller who wanted walken