Joseph and His Brethren USA, 1955 Rita Hayworth, Lee J. Cobb This biblical epic starring Rita Hayworth was in pre-production stage when it was abandoned early 1955. It was the first production to involve former MGM boss Louis B. Mayer as an indpendent producer. Lee J. Cobb had signed to play Potiphar, and Clifford Odets was employed as scriptwriter. Designer Jean Louis had already made many of the costumes, most sets had already been built and Hayworth had done screen tests for prospective actors to play Joseph. She apparently abandoned the production just days before shooting started, which resulted in a court battle between her and Columbia Pictures studio. The fact that actress Maureen O'Hara was hired by Columbia shortly thereafter resulted in newspaper speculations that she would take over the leading role, and also newcomer Kim Novak was mentioned, but this did not happen and the project was scrapped.