Interesting Casting Choices
Once the script had been polished and the plan for the film was laid out, the casting process had to begin. However, a big part of the casting had already begun even before Bob Fosse came on board, as producer Cy Feuer had already decided on who would play two of the main roles. He had decided that Liza Minnelli would play Sally Bowles and Joel Grey would play the Master of Ceremonies.
Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret,’ 1972. Photo by Granger / Shutterstock
Feuer was so adamant that Joel Grey had to be in the film that he told Bob Fosse he could either accept this decision or walk away from the project and be replaced by another director. In the end, Feuer’s decision was the right one, as Grey won an Oscar for his turn in the film and is regarded as a big part of what made it so successful.