sentences:  Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, and Sylvester Stallone were all offered the part, but declined.Jon Voight had been considered for the role of the husband, but after becoming involved with the film, he campaigned to play the paraplegic veteran.Voight had participated in the anti-war movement, and was a friend of Fonda, who was instrumental in helping him land the role, even though he had fallen from popularity since his "Midnight Cowboy" heyday.