Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis working together seems like a dream. But before 2012 Lincoln, their paths nearly crossed on Schindler’s List. Just one problem—Day-Lewis wasn’t feeling it. Not due to role. Not due to story. But because he wanted Martin Scorsese to direct it, not Spielberg. Enter Liam Neeson, and the remaining is Oscar-winning history.
Steven Spielberg Handed Schindler’s List to Martin Scorsese, Then Snatched It Back
Schindler’s List was actually handed to Martin Scorsese first. Steven Spielberg was attached to the film for years but wasn’t sure he could pull it off. So, he passed it to Scorsese, pondering (as what Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly), “Marty won’t draw back from the heavy stuff.” However the second he did, Spielberg had a change of heart. The director added:
“However the minute I gave it to Marty, I missed it. I’d given away a probability to do something for my children and family in regards to the Holocaust.” Spielberg wanted it back, especially since it was a deeply personal project. And since he’s Spielberg, well, he got it back. And Scorsese—like an excellent sport—returned it. But Daniel Day-Lewis? He wasn’t on board with the switch.
His loyalty to Scorsese ran deep, so he dipped out. When Schindler’s List was still a Scorsese film, Daniel Day-Lewis was the guy. The tactic king himself was able to tackle Oskar Schindler. However the moment Scorsese left? Day-Lewis was out.
Not because he wasn’t interested—he was just that loyal to Scorsese. The Hollywood actor even admitted he was excited in regards to the role but walked away the second Spielberg took over. Because the actor said in an interview with The Recent York Times:
“I believed that will be something very interesting to do. But then the project went to Spielberg. Once I met Martin on the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, I wanted to select him up and cuddle him. He’s a mighty man, and when he asks you to do something, you must do it. I used to be struggling to flee from English drawing rooms, but due to Martin, I accepted the role in The Age of Innocence.”
As an alternative, Day-Lewis went off to film The Age of Innocence with—yep, the film directed by none aside from Scorsese himself. Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is an emotional gut-punch, but Scorsese’s version? It might’ve been different.
His original script was much shorter—115 pages in comparison with Spielberg’s 195. That’s a number of extra scenes Spielberg and his team added. Would Scorsese’s take have been just as powerful? We’ll never know. But knowing his style, it probably would’ve been grittier, perhaps even darker.
With Day-Lewis out, Spielberg found his Schindler in Liam Neeson. And truthfully? No complaints. Neeson killed it (in an excellent way). The movie won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. So, though Day-Lewis bailed, every little thing worked out. He probably would’ve won an Oscar for it anyway. That’s just what he does.
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