Editing Arthur (1981 film) (section)

== Production ==
Gordon originally wrote the [[title character]] with an American actor in mind. Prior to the casting of Moore, [[Al Pacino]], [[Jack Nicholson]], [[John Travolta]], [[Richard Dreyfuss]], and [[James Caan]] were all considered for the role. In addition, [[Alec Guinness]] and [[David Niven]] were considered for the role of Hobson.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vBBpip4Wp0QC&pg=PA79 |last=Lenburg |first=Jeff |title=Dudley Moore: An Informal Biography |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |publisher=[[iUniverse]] |year=2001 |page=79 |isbn=978-0-595-18268-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pollack |first=Dale |title='Arthur' success even surprised Joffe |date=November 27, 1981 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19811127&id=-f4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zYYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5649,6195356}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Jay |url=https://www.deseret.com/1999/1/8/19425653/the-verdict-is-in-travolta-triumphs-in-court-drama |title=The verdict is in: Travolta triumphs in court drama |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |date=January 8, 1999}}</ref> [[John Belushi]] was also considered for Arthur.<ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Bradford |title=The Lost Roles of John Belushi |date=March 3, 2011 |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-john-belushi.html |access-date=November 24, 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928231202/http://www.vulture.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-john-belushi.html |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, Gordon wanted Moore to perform the role with an American accent, but this proved contentious as Moore had trouble doing so and eventually convinced Gordon to let him use his natural English accent. While some critiques objected to the obvious difference in accent between Arthur and his biological father, others were quick to catch the deeper implication that Hobson taught Arthur to speak.<ref name="MF">{{cite web |last=Cormier |first=Roger |title=10 Rich Facts About Arthur |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/83127/10-rich-facts-about-arthur |website=[[Mental Floss]] |date=July 17, 2016 |access-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref> [[Debra Winger]] reportedly turned down the role of Linda.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=David |title=FILM / Up where she belongs: A decade ago Debra Winger had the film world at her feet. A year ago her career seemed to be on its last legs. Now she is back, with an Oscar nomination. David Thomson is a fan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-up-where-she-belongs-a-decade-ago-debra-winger-had-the-film-world-at-her-feet-a-year-ago-her-1396802.html |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=27 February 1994 |access-date=18 August 2018 |quote=She turned down the soft female leads in hits such as ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' and ''Arthur''.}}</ref> [[Goldie Hawn]], [[Diane Keaton]], [[Gilda Radner]], and [[Meryl Streep]] were also considered for the role of Linda.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Bradford|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/03/the-lost-roles-of-gilda-radner.html|title=The Lost Roles of Gilda Radner|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=March 22, 2012|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528061133/https://www.vulture.com/2012/03/the-lost-roles-of-gilda-radner.html|archive-date=May 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although the project was initially in the works at [[Paramount Pictures]], studio executives eventually dropped the project and [[Orion Pictures]] stepped in.<ref name="MF"/> Promoting the film proved to be a challenge; reportedly six ad campaigns were discarded before a final one was decided upon.<ref name="MF"/>

=== Soundtrack ===
Christopher Cross was initially asked to [[Film score|score]] the film, but writer-director Steven Gordon did not feel comfortable with his lack of experience in composing for film and the job was given to [[Burt Bacharach]].<ref name=Songfacts>{{cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Christopher Cross |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/christopher-cross |website=[[Songfacts]] |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> Cross was asked to compose a song for the film which he did, "[[Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)|Arthur's Theme]]", which he wrote with Bacharach along with Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen.<ref name=Songfacts/>