My understanding is that Lucie Arnaz was the director’s first choice, but Michael Eisner had reservations. She was offered a regional gig (can’t remember what) that was going to conflict with filming, and tried to use it as leverage to get a firm offer. When pressured, Eisner said no.
Lucie insists the widely circulated rumor that she was offered Rizzo, but Lucy Sr. objected to her playing a character who had premarital sex and thus pressured the studio to withdraw the offer is untrue. |
