Editing The Fifth Element (section)

===Casting===
During this time, Besson approached both [[Bruce Willis]] and [[Mel Gibson]] for the lead role, and also considered [[Julia Roberts]] for Leeloo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/fifth-element-concept-art-reveals-princes-original-loo-1458143168 |title=Fifth Element concept art reveals Prince's original look as Ruby Rhod |last=Woerner |first=Meredith |date=4 November 2013 |work=[[Gizmodo]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812083143/https://gizmodo.com/fifth-element-concept-art-reveals-princes-original-loo-1458143168 |archive-date=12 August 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Willis expressed interest, though he was reluctant to take on the role as the film was considered risky after his previous two films, ''[[Hudson Hawk]]'' and ''[[Billy Bathgate (film)|Billy Bathgate]]'', had been poorly received. Gibson eventually turned down the role.{{sfn|Besson|1997|pages=10–11}} While the production team impressed film companies with their designs, they struggled to find one willing to take on a budget approaching nearly $100{{spaces}}million. In December 1992, production stopped{{sfn|Besson|1997|page=149}} without any prior warning, and the team disbanded.{{sfn|Besson|1997|page=11}}
[[File:Fifth Element Circles of Power.png|thumb|alt=screenshot of a flying taxi in the film, placed above a drawing of a flying taxi from a comic book|Korben's flying [[taxicab]] (top), which was inspired by the comic album ''[[The Circles of Power]]'', drawn by artist [[Jean-Claude Mézières]].{{sfn|Mézières|2004|page=65}}]]

Besson wrote and directed the commercially successful ''[[Léon: The Professional]]'' (1994). During that period, he continued to work on the script for ''The Fifth Element'', shortening it. He reduced the film's budget to $90{{spaces}}million before again attempting to find a studio willing to produce it. [[Columbia Pictures]], which had a partnership in ''Leon'', agreed to finance the film. By this time, Besson had decided to go with a lesser-known lead actor to save on production costs.{{sfn|Besson|1997|page=11}}<ref name=stephen>{{cite web |url=http://www.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/LB01.HTM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119012610/http://www.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/LB01.HTM |archive-date=19 November 2012 |title=Filmmaker Luc Besson explains how a childhood fantasy became a hit sci-fi epic. |last1=Schaefer |first1=Stephen |work=IndustryCentral |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> Besson happened to be in [[Barry Josephson]]'s office when Willis called regarding a different film. Besson asked to speak to Willis "just to say hello" and told him that ''The Fifth Element'' was finally going ahead, explaining his decision to go with a less-expensive actor. After a short silence, Willis said, "If I like the film, we can always come to an arrangement."{{sfn|Besson|1997|page=11}} After reading the script, Willis agreed to take on the role.