A young writer sold his first screenplay to a major studio under the single
condition that he direct it. The studio didn't mind because the film was
relatively low budget. Several months later a major star agreed to play the
lead under the condition that HE direct. The studio paid the writer an extra
$400,000 not do direct his own screenplay.

Several years later, after the major star had passed on the project, the
studio went back to the writer and asked him to direct the picture with a
different actor under the condition that he pay them back the money they
paid him not to direct it. He agreed, but only under the condition that they
agree to finance his next script. They agreed. The film made $100 million.
The next one bombed.