In the entertainment industry, Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson are recognized for their exceptional acting skills and remarkable beauty. Despite their fame, it may come as a surprise that these two actresses were once overlooked for certain movie roles. Despite their attractiveness, they were not the top picks for some projects.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Scarlett Johansson shared her audition experience for the film Gravity. The actress revealed that she had to don a complete spacesuit and act as if she was floating in space, even though she was just seated in a chair with a helmet on. Johansson admitted that it felt strange but she still found the experience enjoyable.
Initially, Angelina Jolie declined the lead role in the movie, Gravity. As a result, several other actresses were considered for the role, including Natalie Portman, Naomi Watts, Carey Mulligan, and Scarlett Johansson. The film directed by Alfonso Cuarón was a major success both critically and commercially, earning over $720 million worldwide and receiving 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress award for her role in the movie. Interestingly, Jolie and Johansson were also considered for roles in the 1996 horror film, The Craft, which is about four teenage girls who form a coven of witches at a Los Angeles church high school. Despite using their powers for personal gain, the girls soon discover the negative consequences of dabbling in witchcraft.
The movie “The Craft” centers on Sarah Bailey, a teenager with extraordinary abilities, who finds solace in the company of three other outcasts, Bonnie Harper, Nancy Downs, and Rochelle Zimmerman, played by Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True, respectively. The girls revere Manon, an earth deity, and their story has become a cult horror classic since its release in 1996. Interestingly, Angelina Jolie, Alicia Silverstone, and Scarlett Johansson all auditioned for the lead role of Sarah, but the director, Andrew Fleming, ultimately chose Robin Tunney. Casting director Pam Dixon revealed that they tested several girls for the role and even had to let go of Angelina Jolie because she got another film offer. Dixon mentioned that some of the girls they tested are now well-known in the entertainment industry.
When casting for the role of Sarah in the movie, Scarlett Johansson was initially under consideration, but at only 12 years old, she was deemed too young for the part. The role was later awarded to Campbell, who was already starring in the TV show Party of Five. Meanwhile, Robin Tunney had originally been selected to play Bonnie, but the team managed to convince her to switch to the role of Sarah instead, which proved to be a better fit for her. Campbell, on the other hand, was a perfect match for the character of Bonnie, given her youthful appearance and innocence. In the end, this casting decision worked out well for both actresses, as Tunney delivered an unforgettable performance as Sarah, and Campbell went on to star in many other successful movies, such as the Scream series. The film itself was a surprise hit, raking in $6.7 million in North America and a total of $55.6 million worldwide, with teenagers and young women being its primary audience.
Box Office Mojo reports that Neve Campbell’s film The Craft is among the top-grossing movies since 1980 that deal with witchcraft. The film’s popularity is credited to its contemporary themes of female empowerment and its dark, trendy look. Despite having a budget of only $15 million, the movie exceeded expectations, earning significant profits during its first weekend. Moreover, The Craft served as a launching pad for the careers of all four lead actresses. Today, it has become a cult favorite, appealing to viewers of all ages with its supernatural and horror elements combined with a stylishly gothic aesthetic that champions women’s power.
