Funny Lady is a 1975 musical film starring Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif, Roddy McDowall, and Ben Vereen.
Although she was contractually bound to make one more film for producer Ray Stark Fanny Brices onetime soninlaw, Streisand balked at doing the project. She told Stark that it would take litigation to make her do a sequel. However, Streisand liked the script, which showed Fanny to be ...tougher, more acerbic, more mature..., and she agreed to do the film.The first actor to read for the role of Billy Rose was Robert Blake. Other actors were mentioned, including Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, but ultimately James Caan was chosen. Streisand explained It comes down to whom the audience wants me to kiss. Robert Blake, no. James Caan, yes. ........
Source: Wikipedia