No: HPFGUIDX 13800 I think it was Spielberg, if I am not mistaken. He claimed to have been busy with another film. In a message dated 03/07/2001 2:07:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, hedwigthecat at aol.com writes: << Chris Columbus (who was not the first choice to direct this film) >> Who was the first choice? Just curious.. Cheers, Paula Gryffindor