Juliette Binoche turned down a role in this film.

Claire Danes won a role in this movie, but turned it down because she couldn't arrange for tutoring in Poland.

Offered the title role but was afraid his stardom would detract from the message.

Mel Gibson was interested in this film, but Steven Spielberg thought a major star would be distracting.

Roman Polanski turned down a chance to direct the film because it hit to close to home. Polanski was a Holocaust victim until the age of 8, when he escaped from the Krakow Ghetto.

Considered for the part of Amon Goeth.

Martin Scorsese turned down the chance to direct this film, because he felt it was best that a Jewish director take the job.

Alan Thicke was reportedly Spielberg's first choice to play Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List.