premise: Norman Jewison rejected all offers to direct The Cincinnati Kid.
hypothesis: Norman Jewison . Other highlights of his directing career include The Cincinnati Kid ( 1965 ) , The Russians Are Coming , the Russians Are Coming ( 1966 ) , The Thomas Crown Affair ( 1968 ) , Jesus Christ Superstar ( 1973 ) , F.I.S.T. ( 1978 ) , ... And Justice for All ( 1979 ) , A Soldier 's Story ( 1984 ) , Agnes of God ( 1985 ) , Other People 's Money ( 1991 ) , The Hurricane ( 1999 ) and The Statement ( 2003 ) . The Cincinnati Kid . The film was directed by Norman Jewison and stars Steve McQueen in the title role and Edward G. Robinson as Howard .