Originally the cast was to be a reunited Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris formerly of The Wild Geese (1978), also by Euan Lloyd and Andrew V. McLaglen, with Burton playing the role of Lewis Pugh, which eventually went to Gregory Peck and Harris playing Bill Grice, which David Niven played. However, it was felt Harris was too young and Burton eventually refused (something he later allegedly regretted). Harris was still an option however, but was eventually vetoed by Peck, who wanted his The Guns of Navarone (1961) co-star Niven on board.