Oliver! (film) in the United States, and Oliver Reed, who played Bill Sikes, had just begun to make a name for himself. Producer John Woolf suggested Oliver Reed for the role to the director Reed, without knowing that the two were in fact related. Ron Moody, who was also well known in Britain but not the US, recreated his London stage performance, after Peter Sellers, Dick Van Dyke and Peter O'Toole reportedly turned down the role. Elizabeth Taylor turned down the role of Nancy as well. Julie Andrews was also considered. Director Reed also had Shirley Bassey in mind, but his choice
Isaiah Sykes Isaiah Sykes Isaiah Sykes (born December 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Maccabi Hod HaSharon of the Liga Leumit. He played college basketball for the UCF Knights men's basketball team where he was named to the 2013 Conference USA First Team. He scored a career-high 36 points in a double overtime victory over Temple in the opening round of the 2014 AAC Tournament. Sykes played high school basketball representing Edwin C. Denby High School (Detroit, Michigan). Playing for head coach Chuck Albright, Sykes averaged 19.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists throughout his senior