Here's an interesting fact: Rock Hudson was considered for the title role in Ben-Hur (1959) but had to turn it down because of his commitment to A Farewell to Arms.
So, WI he'd been available to do Ben-Hur?
I only ask because I learned recently that Stephen Boyd (who played Messala, Ben-Hur Judah's enemy) was told by director William Wyler and screenwriter Gore Vidal that Messala and Ben-Hur were lovers and that Messala betrayed Ben-Hur because the relationship had ended and to play it like that. While Boyd obviously knew, Charlton Heston, who played Ben-Hur, was not told because it was felt that he couldn't handle it (and, needless to say, he was upset when he did find out years later).
Having Rock Hudson in the Ben-Hur role with that dynamic would have been interesting for all sorts of reasons...
So, WI he'd been available to do Ben-Hur?
I only ask because I learned recently that Stephen Boyd (who played Messala, Ben-Hur Judah's enemy) was told by director William Wyler and screenwriter Gore Vidal that Messala and Ben-Hur were lovers and that Messala betrayed Ben-Hur because the relationship had ended and to play it like that. While Boyd obviously knew, Charlton Heston, who played Ben-Hur, was not told because it was felt that he couldn't handle it (and, needless to say, he was upset when he did find out years later).
Having Rock Hudson in the Ben-Hur role with that dynamic would have been interesting for all sorts of reasons...