Although his original screenplay for
Will Penny (1967) attracted much attention, he refused to sell it to any film company unless he was also attached as director; he saw it as his chance to reach the big-time.
Charlton Heston thought at first that he could persuade
William Wyler or
George Stevens )to direct the script but, on being told of Gries' proviso, decided to take a chance on a director whose only previous credits had been on "B" pictures. He always insisted that he never regretted this decision, and worked with Gries twice more.