Why did Anne Hathaway turn down ‘Knocked Up’ role?
In the years leading up to Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, Anne Hathaway had proven herself to be one of the industry’s most exciting rising stars. Having starred in films like Brokeback Mountain and The Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway was becoming more sought-after by the minute. Her acting prowess and undeniable charm seemingly captivated the attention of Apatow, who pictured her as the ideal lead for his upcoming rom-com.
Looking back, movies like Knocked Up epitomised the influx of early 2000s romantic comedies that appeared completely indicative of the times. While many still appreciate such films, there’s no denying the oddly unsettling storylines and dated language, all of which perfectly reflect some of the era’s biggest shortcomings regarding societal acceptance and inequality.
Nonetheless, at the time, Knocked Up did very well – it was well-liked among critics and fans and ended up grossing $219million worldwide at the box office. The general premise follows a reporter called Alison Scott, played by Katherine Heigl, who accidentally gets pregnant after a one-night stand with the immature Ben Stone. Although the pair clearly struggle generally with personal and professional alignment, they give romance a chance and end up finding happiness in one another.
While finding the perfect cast, Apatow originally wanted Hathaway to play Alison Scott. However, she apparently backed out at the last minute after a part of the script left her feeling uneasy. This was a scene that depicted a woman explicitly giving birth, which Hathaway felt was completely unnecessary to the storyline. In her own words: “I turned down [Knocked Up] because it was going to show a vagina – not mine, but somebody else’s – and I didn’t believe that it was necessary to the story.”
That said, the subject of nudity isn’t something that Hathaway always turns her back on. In her view, if it doesn’t serve the plot, there’s no need for it at all. However, if it’s done in a dignified way and for a purpose, she’s more likely to consider it. As she explained: “I don’t actively search for [films] that I can get naked in. But nor is it something that I would ever not do a job because of. It is what it is. Some people choose not to do it on moral grounds; I think that’s a shoddy argument.”
While Knocked Up is still popular among many rom-com fans, Hathaway’s decision not to take part ultimately ended up having zero impact on her career. In fact, while the actor starred in many rom-coms along the way, opting out of Apatow’s strange movie probably yielded more benefits than she first imagined.
Moreover, Hathaway’s reservations play into a bigger Hollywood issue that persists to this day. Often, not just in rom-coms, nudity comes across as entirely inappropriate and nothing more than a minor tool for either attempting to further the narrative or pandering to certain audience groups. While some actors are completely fine with it, it’s easy to understand now more than ever why Hathaway turned away back then.
