The whole affair was simple. After directing stage plays for several years, Sam Mendes finally had the idea of trying his hand at film. During his time producing plays, especially on Broadway, he had met quite a few Hollywood actors—many actors, in their spare time or when their popularity waned, would try their luck on Broadway to expand their careers and refine their acting skills, and if they were fortunate enough to snag a Tony Award trophy, all the better.
However, when Mendes actually started contacting producers in Hollywood, his complete lack of film production experience became an insurmountable hurdle. The second- and third-tier producers didn't mind letting this newcomer direct, as successfully directing stage plays for so many years, including some pretty good ones, required skill, but he had no interest in them. As for the first-rate screenplays that caught his eye, the people in charge all chose to politely decline.
