I just love this movie. What an awesome assemblage of talent in this film.
Eastwood called Gene Hackman, who said he was not interested. But Clint urged him to read the script and see it wasn't just a typical western. Hackman did and loved it.
Eastwood called Richard Harris as home, who happened to be watching an old Eastwood western at the time, and asked him if he was interested. Harris was an immediate yes.
Morgan Freeman loves Clint Eastwood so there was never any doubt.
One of the few times in Oscar History where I completely agreed with the selection of Best Picture.