Kevin Costner’s Biggest Movie Regret: “I Wasn’t the Right Guy”

Kevin Costner has only directed five films in 35 years, all Westerns or Western-adjacent, and he’s personally financed each one. From Dances with Wolves to the still-unfinished Horizon saga, Costner’s directorial trademarks are genre loyalty and deep pockets.

But in the early ’90s, he nearly broke form — and cinema narrowly avoided a misstep. Before Schindler’s List became Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Costner pitched himself to direct and star as Oskar Schindler. He even offered to screen test — bald cap and all — in Spielberg’s kitchen.

Ultimately, Spielberg passed, choosing Liam Neeson for the role and making one of the most powerful films of the 20th century. Costner later admitted, “I wasn’t the right guy.” Thankfully, Spielberg knew it too.