"The Big Lebowski" is all about the Dude, but the title doesn't refer to Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski. The so-called "Big Lebowski" (played by David Huddleston) is the wealthy philanthropist whose trophy wife, Bunny (Tara Reid), becomes the focus of the kidnapping and ransom plot. While he's not in the film as much as the Dude, the Big Lebowski is an important character, and the Coen Brothers wanted someone of equal prominence to play him. So they eyed none other than Marlon Brando.
Brando was one of several names the Coens kicked around, having considered and discarded a plethora of actors, including Lloyd Bridges, Jeff Bridges' father. Other names they tossed about included Michael Caine, Ned Beatty, George C. Scott, and many others. Still, they wanted Brando, as he was their ideal actor for the role. Unfortunately, it was little more than a pipe dream, as explained by Alex Belth in "The Dude Abides: The Coen Brothers & the Making of The Big Lebowski."
"It was a good dream, too, though unlikely. Brando had certainly grown into the role, but he was eccentric, expensive, and didn't much like to work. Still, the idea amused the boys no end, and for weeks they quoted the Big Lebowski's lines in a Brando accent: "Condolences, the bums lost," Joel said with his jaw pushed out to look like Brando in 'The Godfather'" (via Cinearchive).
