The brave reason Angelina Jolie turned down Martin Scorsese
From her captivating performances on-screen to her unwavering dedication to philanthropy and humanitarian causes, Angelina Jolie stands as a figure of immense influence, recognised not only for her talent but also for her commitment to making a meaningful impact on the world. While Jolie’s journey in the entertainment industry spans decades and is marked by an array of diverse and compelling roles, there remains one particular role that she turned down—for all of the right reasons.
Jolie’s breakout performances include films like Girl, Interrupted and Gia, which showcased her exceptional acting skills, earning her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. She further solidified her status as an A-lister with iconic portrayals in action-packed blockbusters like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
However, Jolie’s prowess extends beyond her acting abilities. Her dedication to challenging roles in thought-provoking movies like Changeling, A Mighty Heart, and Maleficent, all of which revealed her versatility as a seasoned actor who’s open and willing to explore multifaceted characters and complex narratives.
In 2004, Jolie was approached by Martin Scorsese to feature in The Aviator, his biographical film depicting American magnate Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio was set to portray the famous aviator in this second collaboration between the actor and director. The Aviator also encompassed portrayals of prominent personalities, including Katharine Hepburn and Ava Garner, enacted by Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale, respectively.
However, produced by Miramax Films, the movie was under the production company of Bob and Harvey Weinstein. Although it remains unclear which role in particular Jolie was offered by the esteemed director, she turned it down due to Weinstein’s involvement, as she revealed in an interview with The Guardian: “I was asked to do The Aviator, but I turned it down because he [Weinstein] was a part of it,” she said, adding: “I never associated or worked with him again. It was hard for me when Brad did. We fought about it. Of course, it hurt.”
In the same interview, Jolie shared her harrowing personal encounter with Weinstein, describing an incident in a hotel room that was a violation of her rights. Jolie pledged to cease collaborating with him and urged others to follow suit. True to her commitment, when offered a role in The Aviator, she declined the opportunity due to his association with the project.
She said: “It was beyond a pass, it was something I had to escape. I stayed away and warned people about him. I remember telling Jonny [Lee Miller], my first husband, who was great about it, to spread the word to other guys – don’t let girls go alone with him. I was asked to do The Aviator, but I said no because he was involved. I never associated or worked with him again.”
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