For the role of Matthew, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye were on the shortlist, but Anthony Newley was cast, which angered Harrison because he had suggested David Wayne. Harrison later showed contempt for Bricusse's script and lyrics and demanded to sing live on set instead of lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks. Shortly after, Harrison was fired from the project. In his place, Peter Ustinov, Alec Guinness, and Peter O'Toole were considered. Instead, they hired Christopher Plummer as a replacement, but when Harrison agreed to stay, the producers paid Plummer his agreed-upon salary to leave the production.