selznick wanted clark gable to star as rhett butler. selznich had to make a deal with mgm to get gable. selznick would have to pay gable's salary directly. it took a long time to find the right actress for scarlett. many other famous actresses were considered. katharine hepburn wanted to have the role, but was rejected. the following actresses were screen-tested: ardis ankerson, jean arthur, tallulah bankhead, diana barrymore, joan bennett, nancy coleman, frances dee, ellen drew (as terry ray), paulette goddard, susan hayward, vivien leigh, anita louise, haila stoddard, margaret tallichet, lana turner and linda watkins.