Kris Kristofferson was cast as the male lead in the film, but backed out to make "Heaven's Gate", with Ford, in Europe on another project, persuaded to take the lead role.
Kris Kristofferson was cast as the male lead in the film Heaven's Gate in Europe on another project. This was with Ford. Another project was persuaded to take the lead role. Kris Kristofferson backed out to make "Heaven's Gate" in Europe on another project. This was with Ford. Another project was persuaded to take the lead role.