![\"mel](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/1b\/4by3\/2024\/02\/22\/1b371e34945840a7a90fb96c587873aa_md.jpg\" "\\"agent")
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<\/p>\n Mel Gibson<\/strong><\/a> was on the shortlist for the leading role in “Schindler’s List” … but despite his interest, the director was never going to pick him.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n When the producers were casting the lead role in the iconic 1993 movie, Mel’s name came up … according to Hollywood agent and CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz<\/strong>, who helped make the film.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ovitz told The Hollywood Reporter<\/strong><\/a> Mel was interested in the project and his agent tried to land him the part … but he says director Steven Spielberg<\/strong><\/a> was looking for a “non-movie” star as his leading man.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Mel was, and still is, a huge name in Hollywood … and by 1993 he had just starred in his third ‘Lethal Weapon’ movie … and already had a bunch of popular credits to his name.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Ultimately, Liam Neeson<\/strong><\/a> was cast as Oskar Schindler … and he helped the film win 7 Oscars at the 1994 award show, including Best Picture.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n The irony here … we first reported on Mel’s racist and antisemitic comments<\/strong><\/a> during his 2006 DUI arrest. So it’s wild that he was considered for this film back then — which is obviously all about the Holocaust.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/c2\/4by3\/2024\/02\/22\/c283768abef148849842cdf0f4772b0e_md.jpg\")
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