The “off-beat” actor Stanley Kubrick almost hired for ‘Dr Strangelove’: “He’ll be a fabulous choice”It’s interesting to think what might have become of some of our favourite movies if they featured different actors. That was the case for Stanley Kubrick when he made The Shining. Kubrick cast Peter Sellers in the various roles of Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, President Merkin Muffley, and Dr Strangelove himself, and the actor brought his comic experience to the dark satire with precision. Kubrick penned a letter to producer James Harris about a potential casting choice, and it revealed the potential for a very unusual choice indeed. The singing, dancing maverick of Singin’ in the Rain fame is surely the last person you’d pick to play Jack D Ripper, but Kubrick really was interested in having Kelly play the part.