Steven Spielberg has overlooked the direction of a horde of award-winning films. From haunting war dramas like Schindler’s List to sci-fi adventures in Jurassic Park, the acclaimed filmmaker has dipped his toes in a cornucopia of genres.
But it’s no secret that Spielberg has a particular penchant for war features, something you’ll notice right away in his directorial filmography.
So, it’s not a shocker that he’d been planning to shepherd a certain movie inspired by real-life events of a U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. sniper and his experience. Until Clint Eastwood ended up directing it instead.
Steven Spielberg Was Supposed to Helm This Clint Eastwood Blockbuster
Starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, American Sniper narrates the legendary tale of a lethal sniper who served diligently during the Iraq war but can’t seem to outrun his war-torn demons when he finally comes back home.
A biographical war drama based on the memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History (2012), the film was helmed and co-produced by none other than veteran actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood. Steven Spielberg, however, had originally been slated to direct the movie.
But when Warner Bros. exec Dan Fellman called up Eastwood with the opportunity, the 94-year-old Western icon made the wise decision of accepting the project (via The Wrap). After all, American Sniper would go on to be crowned as the highest-grossing film out of all Eastwood-helmed movies.
The Dirty Harry star’s first reaction after Fellman’s call was ringing up Spielberg and saying, “‘I’m taking your leftovers again.’” Leave it to Eastwood to turn said leftovers into a Michelin-star meal, what with the 6 Oscar nominations that the war action flick received, winning one for Best Sound Editing.
Steven Spielberg & Clint Eastwood Go Way Back
The two industry juggernauts have joined forces on several projects with their very first collaboration dating back to the ’80s. Later, the pair would go on to co-produce war dramas like Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, both of which premiered in 2006.
Beyond a professional relationship, Eastwood also happens to be the Jurassic Park director’s “best friend” and inspires him to keep working no matter how old he gets.
I have no plans to quit. Clint Eastwood is one of my best friends, and we have an almost jokey relationship about retirement.
The Gran Torino star, too, speaks fondly of his fellow Hollywood mogul, remarking how “supportive” Steven Spielberg had been of him while he was working on American Sniper. “We’ve worked together on many occasions and have known each other for many years,” Eastwood said.
American Sniper can be streamed on Max or rented on Apple TV+.