 The role of Quint was originally offered to actors Lee Marvin and Sterling Hayden, both of whom passed.Zanuck and Brown had just finished working with Robert Shaw on "The Sting", and suggested him to Spielberg.Shaw was reluctant to take the role since he did not like the book, but decided to accept at the urging of both his wife, actress Mary Ure, and his secretary—"The last time they were that enthusiastic was "From Russia with Love".