Editing The Incredible Shrinking Man (section)

===Development and pre-production===
[[File:Dan O'Herlihy 1955.JPG|thumbnail|right|alt=A black-and-white head shot of Dan O'Herlihy looking to his left| Producer [[Albert Zugsmith]] initially wanted [[Dan O'Herlihy]] (pictured) to play the role of Scott Carey.]]
<!-- development of the concept and script, as well as the securing of financing and producers -->
[[Richard Matheson]]'s idea for the original novel was inspired by a scene in the film ''[[Let's Do It Again (1953 film)|Let's Do It Again]]'', where [[Ray Milland]]'s character leaves an apartment with the wrong hat. It is much too large for Milland and sinks down around his head and ears.<ref name="tism-7">{{Cite AV media notes| title =Robinson Crusoe in His Own Basement| last=Newman| first = Kim |author-link = Kim Newman | year = 2017| page = 7| type = booklet | publisher = [[Arrow Films]] | id = FCD1628 }}</ref> Matheson sold the rights to Universal on the condition that he write the screenplay.<ref name="tism-7" /> It was Matheson's first screenplay, a writing format he felt he adapted to quickly.<ref name="tism-7" /> Matheson's initial script followed Scott Carey already shrunken and battling a spider in his basement.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=401}} His rewrite is told in flashback form: scenes of Carey and the spider are interspersed with scenes telling the story of Carey's gradual loss in height.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=401}}

The film was already into its second month of production before the novel was published in May 1956 by [[Gold Medal Books]].{{sfn|Lucas|2017|loc=00:02:40}} Producer [[Albert Zugsmith]] added the word "Incredible" to Matheson's title and passed the script to [[Richard Alan Simmons]], who removed the script's flashback structure.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=401}} Matheson later discussed working with Universal, finding that the producer had a "very commercial mind" which made the script weaker in terms of character.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=401}} In an interview in ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' magazine, Matheson stated he protested sharing a screen credit with Simmons.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=402}} The screen credits list Matheson as the writer, while the shooting script lists both Matheson and Simmons.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=401}}

<!-- recruitment of the most important artists (cast and crew) and shooting preparations -->
[[Pre-production]] was originally set to begin on April 20, 1956, but it started officially on April 24.{{sfn|Lucas|2017|loc=00:05:26}} The cast consisted of mostly unknown actors.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=402}} Director [[Jack Arnold (director)|Jack Arnold]] phoned [[Randy Stuart]], who was a personal friend, asking if she would be interested in doing the film.{{sfn|Weaver|2004|p=306}} Zugsmith initially wanted [[Dan O'Herlihy]] to play the role of Scott Carey.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=406}} O'Herlihy had just been nominated for an [[Academy Award]] for his role in ''[[Robinson Crusoe (1954 film)|Robinson Crusoe]]''. After reading the script, he refused to play another isolated character, not wanting to be typecast in that kind of role.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=406}} [[Grant Williams (actor)|Grant Williams]] was cast because Universal had him pegged to become a star.{{sfn|Warren|2009|p=406}} On April 4, 1956, Williams and Stuart were [[screen test]]ed and deemed acceptable for the roles of Scott and Louise Carey.{{sfn|Lucas|2017|loc=00:05:08}}