15 Strangest Movie Casting Rumours That Thankfully Never Happened

10. Frank Sinatra As Harry Callaghan

The role of Harry Callaghan in Dirty Harry feels like it was made for Clint Eastwood. With Dirty Harry, the man who had become the emboyment of the strong, silent cowboy archetype also made the mould for the loose cannon cop archetype that would become so prevalent in the action movies that would follow in its wake. He also went on to play the iconic role in four more films. It might come as a surprise to learn that not only was Eastwood not first choice for the role, he was actually some way down on the list. Rat Pack crooner Frank Sinatra was the studio's first choice in the role, but a pre-existing injury (he broke his wrist filming a fight scene for The Manchurian Candidate eight years prior) meant he was unable to comfortably hold Harry's massive pistol. After Sinatra passed the role was offered to John Wayne, Steve McQueen and Robert Mitchum who all said no, so someone put in a phone call to Eastwood. He took the role and cinematic history was made. We should all feel lucky too - Eastwood brought grit, a steel-eyed stare and barely controlled anger to the role. It's likely that Sinatra's Callaghan would have been a much calmer on screen presence, and Dirty Harry would have suffered for it.