I didn't know
Pussycat was written for Beatty, but now that you mention it, I could totally see that.. I prefer O'Toole, of course, but I could see Beatty in that role.. you learn something new every day
Pussycat was Beatty's project from the start. He was going to play Michael and--get this--he wanted Groucho Marx for Dr. Fassbinder!
Woody Allen was the reason Beatty ultimately didn't do the film.
This was Allen's first produced screenplay, and the nightclub comic saw it as his shot at the big time. He began diminishing Beatty's role, and expanding his own, which naturally angered Beatty. He left the production, was replaced by O'Toole, and the script was re-written again to showcase the
Lawrence star. A lot of Allen's footage ended up on the cutting-room floor, or not shot at all.
Sorry 'bout sticking "She's a Lady" in your head there...
Listening to
"Whispering Pines" - The Band