The producer of Animal House really wanted John Landis, the director, to cast Chevy Chase. I think for the role of Otter. Chevy was leaving SNL to become a big star. However Landis didn’t want Chevy in Animal House because he thought he was too old. At a meeting Landis knew that Chevy had been offered another part, in the movie Foul Play with Goldie Hawn and used this to his advantage. He told Chevy that he would be great in Animal House because it was an ensemble piece. It would be like Saturday Night Live, but Landis said he understood that he had been offered Foul Play and he wouldn’t blame him for taking that,the script was classic and he would be the next Cary Grant. The producer kicked Landis under the table but it was too late. Chevy took Foul Play and the rest is history.