De Niro reportedly was attached as Josh and helped the film get greenlit; the panel strongly rejects him as a fit despite admiration for his acting.
Spielberg briefly considered directing with Ford; the idea is partly defended but challenged as too sexually charismatic, with Regarding Henry a comparison.
Brooks reportedly brought Marshall aboard after her departure from Peggy Sue Got Married; a female version with Winger was considered, but Marshall's quoted contemporary objection says the reversed sexual premise would be unacceptable.
Quaid reportedly told Larry King he declined Big for Everybody's All-American; the report is treated as possible rather than certain.
Rushton reportedly also read with Sean Penn, considered an especially strange Josh possibility.
Travolta reportedly wanted Josh but the studio rejected him during his career slump; the panel thinks his comic innocence might have worked, though not as well as Hanks.
