Steven Spielberg, the famous director behind movies like Jaws and Jurassic Park, revealed he once made a choice he later regretted. In the 1980s, the director was supposed to direct a drama film named Rain Man, but he decided not to. The movie starred A-listers Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.
Spielberg ended up choosing to direct Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade instead, due to scheduling issues. The road dramedy, eventually won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director in 1989.
Steven Spielberg Chose Indiana Jones Over Directing Rain Man
Rain Man, a 1988 award-winning drama, tells the story of two brothers: Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic man with special talents, and Charlie (Tom Cruise), his selfish sibling. Once, Charlie takes his brother, hoping to claim a hidden inheritance. But what starts as a selfish plan turns into a journey of healing.
Steven Spielberg was initially interested in directing this iconic movie, but he chose to prioritize Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). It’s a film he co-created with his friend George Lucas. With only five months available, Spielberg decided to honor his commitment to Lucas, leaving the Rain Man director’s role open.
Steven Spielberg Regretted Losing Rain Man Later
After Rain Man was released in 1988, it received critical acclaim and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Barry Levinson, who took over for Steven Spielberg. The West Side Story filmmaker later admitted to having second thoughts about his decision.
In a 36-minute-long TV interview (via Grantland), he expressed regret over letting go of Rain Man, especially after it became a hit. He even joked that he should’ve picked Rain Man over loyalty to George Lucas. The now 77-year-old stated:
Sure it did…sure it did. When the film began winning Best Picture and Best Writer, I kept thinking, God, maybe I should have forgotten my entire friendship with George Lucas and said, ‘George, go hire somebody else to do Indy 3.’ … Of course I thought about that!
Despite his initial regret, Spielberg thought Rain Man wouldn’t have been as successful if he had directed it. He believed the film did well because of Levinson’s unique style and worried that his own fame might have taken attention away from the film’s qualities.
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Frequently asked questions
Why did Steven Spielberg turn down directing Rain Man?
Spielberg was originally attached to direct Rain Man in the 1980s but stepped away due to scheduling conflicts, choosing instead to direct Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with his friend George Lucas. With only five months available, he honored his prior commitment to Lucas, leaving the Rain Man directing job open for Barry Levinson.
Did Rain Man succeed without Spielberg directing it?
Yes, Rain Man was a major success after Barry Levinson took over directing, winning four Academy Awards in 1989, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in a story about two brothers on a cross-country road trip after a hidden inheritance is revealed.
Does Spielberg regret giving up Rain Man?
Spielberg has said he did think about it, admitting in a lengthy TV interview that he considered whether he should have prioritized Rain Man over his loyalty to George Lucas. Still, he suggested the film may not have been as successful under his direction, believing his own fame could have overshadowed Levinson’s distinct directorial style.
