20 Things You Didn't Know About 2021's Oscar Nominees

18. Steven Spielberg Was Once Going To Direct With Heath Ledger Starring - The Trial Of The Chicago 7

Carey Mulligan Promising Young Woman
Netflix

The Trial of the Chicago 7 was ultimately directed by screenwriter Aaron Sorkin himself, though many years ago the project was penned with Steven Spielberg eyed to take the helm.

Sorkin first met with Spielberg about the project in 2006, and by 2007 he had written a completed script. Spielberg considered Will Smith to play Bobby Seale (eventually played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Heath Ledger to play Tom Hayden (ultimately played by Eddie Redmayne), but the Writers Guild of America strike later that year ultimately threw production into a tailspin.

The project went unrealised for many years as Spielberg moved onto other films, while Paul Greengrass took a stab at it in 2013 but again it went nowhere.

It wasn't until Sorkin made his acclaimed directorial debut with Molly's Game in 2017 that Spielberg decided to pass the reins to Sorkin and let him make the film himself.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.