After my first movie released, there was a push from my team about what directors to give the Daniel Isn’t Real script. At first I went along with it, because it seemed to make sense we could sell the script and develop my career, and it would be a struggle for me to direct it https://twitter.com/gorycoryhorror/status/1341455275845283841
After getting great advice from someone close to me, I called back the team 24 hours later and said, I’m sorry but I’ve had to completely change my mind. This needs to be the project I go out to direct next. And it took many difficultYEARS from that point, but it finally happened
Which is to say that neither choice is right or wrong, and many great directors started by screenplays for other directors (Alex Garland, Shane Black) but you have to get super clear about what you want and how you are going to get there. A script can be a currency on its own.
There was another script I wrote that I originally thought I’d direct, it attracted various producers and directors and I was completely ok with that, and worked with them on revising to their ideas. But that one never worked out. Possibly because no one had the patience
Looking back on it, that one was a fun script (action/crime based on a novel) but maybe not as personal and specific to me (it was earlier in my life) and so easier to let go. Woulda been happy to have made the $ and upped my profile. But no real loss, when I see where I am now.