Sergio Leone wanted Henry Fonda for A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS but couldn't afford him

Sergio Leone wanted Henry Fonda for A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS but couldn't afford him. Next he tried Charles Bronson, Henry Silva, Rory Calhoun, Steve Reeves, Ty Hardin, James Coburn. All turned him down so he settled for the #2 guy on a TV western not even in the Nielsen top 30.

Leone had even offered the part to RAWHIDE's #1 guy, Eric Fleming. He also offered it to Richard Harrison, who when turning it down suggested Eastwood because he was a convincing cowboy. Eastwood took the role because he was tired of playing a simple white hat good guy on TV.

SOURCE: https://twitter.com/tonytost/status/1443299604590514178?s=20

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