The role of McMurphy was originally offered to James Caan. Will Sampson, who plays Chief, was a park ranger in Oregon near the park where the movie was filmed. He was selected for the part because he was the only Native American that casting could find who matched the character's incredible size. Kirk Douglas possessed the movie rights for a long time, before his son Michael Douglas finally started the project. Many extras were authentic mental patients. Rumors that production shut ...[Read Story ]