Spielberg only wanted to produce Schindler’s List , fearing that he would not be able to make a film that lived up to the subject matter.
He then contacted Roman Polanski, himself a Holocaust survivor, to offer him the opportunity to direct the film. Polanski refused, considering the subject too close to his personal history.
Spielberg and Polanski.
Spielberg then offered the film to Martin Scorsese, who also turned it down, judging that he was not the best person to tell the story, as a Catholic.
Spielberg and Scorcese.
Spielberg would go on to talk to several other big-name directors about taking on the project, including Sidney Lumet, Billy Wilder and Sydney Pollack.
Every time, he will hear the same thing: “You should make the film yourself…”
Which he will eventually do.