In 1960, it was announced 20th Century-Fox had purchased the script from MGM and were going to make it, with Robert Wagner mentioned as a possible star. The title was now "And Seven From America", with the plot revolving around seven Americans who helped Spyridon Louis win the marathon. Spyros Skouras of Fox announced the film would be one of three made in Greece by the studio, the others being "The King Must Die" and "Thermopylae" (which became "The 300 Spartans").