Was first scheduled to be filmed by MGM in 1934, but production was cancelled after pressure from the Turkish government through the U.S. State Department, and threats of boycotts against MGM and Jewish businesses. Plans by MGM to produce the film in 1968-69, and later by Sylvester Stallone in 2006, were also cancelled under pressure from Turkish groups.
Writer/Producer/Director James B. Harris was working on a production of the film for MGM when it was shelved in the late 60's.
When this was in development at MGM during the late 60's, Yul Brynner and Charlton Heston were being courted to star.