In the initial plans for the series, Jack was going to die midway through the first episode. The role of Jack was originally offered to Michael Keaton, but when the producers quickly changed their minds about Jack's death, making him the leader, Keaton gave up the job. After Matthew Fox's casting as Jack, the character was established as a leader, and the airplane pilot was introduced to take Jack's place as The Monster's first victim.[1] The pilot wound up being played by Greg Grunberg, a childhood friend of Abrams who the producer brings into most of his projects.[15] Around seventy-five women of different shapes, sizes, ethnicities and ages auditioned to be Kate.