The Biggest Bombshells from Philip Gefter’s New Book About the Making of “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

The new book shares revelations about which Hollywood stars were almost cast in the movie and what went on behind-the-scenes

Philip Gefter is uncovering the secrets behind the making of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The acclaimed author shares revelations about Mike Nichols’ award-winning film, which starred former couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the titular roles of Martha and George, in his new book, Cocktails with George and Martha.

In his new book, Gefter delivers intimate details about how the cast and film came together and the dynamics between director Nichols and screenwriter-producer Ernest Lehman on their journey to create a film adaptation of the popular Edward Albee play. He writes that it wasn’t always smooth sailing between the pair and between the stars of the film as they made a movie about a couple's tumultuous marriage.

Despite numerous setbacks, the film eventually went on to snag 13 Oscar nominations and secure Taylor and actress Sandy Dennis awards for best actress and best supporting actress. It also won awards for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White.

Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Other Stars Almost Joined the Film

Gefter revealed that the Woman of the Year actress declined the role of Martha, saying that she believed she was “not good enough for this role.” Fonda was also considered to play George, but his agent did not pass the script along to him. When Fonda heard what had happened, he fired him.

After Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Richard Burton were cast, they took control of some film decisions, including approving the casting for secondary characters like Nick and Honey.

Due to their power over the movie, Robert Redford turned down the role of Nick in the film, saying, “At that point I felt this is not an honest play, and I didn’t want to be in it. I was wrong on many levels.”

Burton also initially passed on the role of George because he had been filming Cleopatra opposite Taylor at the time.

Bette Davis Was Warner Bros. First Choice to Play Martha

Bette Davis had been Warner Bros. Studios' first choice to play Martha in the movie, according to the film’s director. Davis later noted that Martha was a part she "would have killed for" and expressed disapproval over the casting choice of Elizabeth Taylor.

Nichols also lamented that the All About Eve star wasn’t chosen over Elizabeth Taylor and likened the Cleopatra actress playing Martha to “asking a chocolate milkshake to do the work of a double martini.”

While the studio had their sights on Davis, Lehman’s first choice to play Martha was secretly Taylor, who told them that she would do the film if her husband Burton could also be in it.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Was Almost in Color

Gefter wrote that Nichols and Lehman fought to keep the film in black and white, despite Jack Warner and his studio insisting on screening it in color.

This was one of the few things the pair agreed on. They often bickered over details in the movie and were often competitive. However, Gefter maintained that the pair overall had a respectful but complicated collaboration during the making of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, especially as the movie had been the first time Nichols directed and the first time Lehman took on a producer role.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton Aired Their Grievances on the Set

Taylor and Burton had a tense dynamic when they were on set and brought their tumultuous relationship to their characters Martha and George, Gefter wrote. Taylor eventually called their dynamic on the set “very cathartic.”

“We would get all our shouting and brawling out on the set and then go home and cuddle,” Taylor added.

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The Lassie star also often stormed off the movie set in a tantrum, and on one particular day, she left in a huff with Burton and they had a long lunch with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson instead.

The Burtons Received Gifts During Production

The couple had previously drawn negative media attention after their affair while filming Cleopatra. Members of Congress had even proposed banning them from reentering the U.S.

However, the couple eventually did return to the U.S. and to mollify them, the production used to send them gifts on set. This included a 500 lb. taxidermied moose head that Nichols sent to their house. It would later become an inside joke between the director and Burton.

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