My guess is that they decided Roy Scheider, while not a super star, certainly had more box office ooomph than that guy who wasn't in very many motion pictures at all. Most of his career involved guest roles on TV shows.

But, no, I don't KNOW this for sure.

@sukhisoo said:

My guess is that they decided Roy Scheider, while not a super star, certainly had more box office ooomph than that guy who wasn't in very many motion pictures at all. Most of his career involved guest roles on TV shows.

But, no, I don't KNOW this for sure.

OR, (again I don't know this for sure) he read the script and thought it was complete shite and took a pass.

So, he took roles in Green Acres , Gemini Man, and BJ and the Bear but turned down a chance to star in a major motion picture because he didn't like the script?

That seems doubtful.

Actually, when the movie was made, it looks like he was retired from acting.

@sukhisoo said:

So, he took roles in Green Acres , Gemini Man, and BJ and the Bear but turned down a chance to star in a major motion picture because he didn't like the script?

That seems doubtful.

Actually, when the movie was made, it looks like he was retired from acting.

Yeah, it was my feeble attempt to poke fun at the shortcomings of the flick even though on its own its not a bad film.