Jennifer Lawrence Opens Up About Losing Sharon Tate Role to Online Criticism
Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence has shared a candid revelation about missing out on a significant role in Quentin Tarantino's acclaimed film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The actress specifically pointed to online backlash regarding her appearance as a key reason she did not land the part of Sharon Tate.
The Podcast Revelation That Sparked Conversation
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Lawrence discussed the casting process for the 2019 film. She explained that director Quentin Tarantino initially considered her for the Sharon Tate role. However, public opinion on the internet quickly turned against this possibility.
"Well, he did, and then everybody was like, 'She's not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate,'" Lawrence recalled during the podcast recording. The actress admitted she has repeated this story so many times that she now firmly believes it happened exactly that way.
Lawrence added with characteristic humor, "Or it's that thing where I've been telling the story this way for so long that I believe it. No, but I'm pretty sure that happened." When podcast host Josh Horowitz suggested the internet would never make such comments, Lawrence jokingly responded, "No, those sweetie pies?"
The Role That Went to Another Star
Ultimately, the Sharon Tate role went to Australian actress Margot Robbie, who delivered a memorable performance in the film. This casting decision received support from an unexpected source - Sharon Tate's own family.
Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister, had commented on the casting back in 2017. She expressed her preference for Margot Robbie, citing the actress's "physical beauty and the way she carries herself." Regarding Jennifer Lawrence, Debra Tate stated she was "just, I don't know, not pretty enough to play Sharon," according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter.
Tarantino's Perspective on the Casting
Quentin Tarantino later provided his own perspective on the casting decisions. While confirming he had considered Lawrence for the Sharon Tate role, the director revealed he had also explored casting her in another significant part.
Tarantino explained that he considered Lawrence for the role of Squeaky Fromme, which eventually went to Dakota Fanning. The director expressed complete satisfaction with Fanning's performance, calling it "one of the best performances in the movie."
Despite not casting Lawrence in either role, Tarantino spoke highly of the actress. He described her as "a very nice person" and emphasized his respect for her as a talented performer in the industry.
Other Tarantino Projects Lawrence Passed On
The podcast conversation, which was taped live before a packed audience at 92NY on January 7, revealed another interesting detail about Lawrence's career choices. The actress disclosed that she had turned down a role in Tarantino's earlier film The Hateful Eight.
Host Josh Horowitz reminded Lawrence, "The Jennifer Jason Leigh part was originally written for you, I believe." To this, Lawrence responded with a laugh, "I turned it down, which I should not have done."
This admission adds another layer to the complex relationship between the acclaimed director and the Oscar-winning actress, highlighting the what-ifs and missed opportunities that often characterize Hollywood casting decisions.
The conversation has sparked renewed discussion about beauty standards in the entertainment industry and how public perception can influence casting decisions for major film projects.
