It often happens that actors miss out on a major role for some reason. However, it’s anything but fun when you’re told you’re ‘too ugly’ for a movie. This happened to Samantha Morton.
When Morton was only 13 years old, she managed to get her first role in the series Soldier Soldier. However, it took some time before she really managed to break through, but when she managed to secure an important role in Under the Skin she was contacted by Woody Allen.
Breakthrough
The latter was very impressed by the actress and wanted to collaborate with her on Sweet and Lowdown. This was a great success, as Morton achieved great acclaim and was even nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe.
From that moment on, she had the roles for the taking. She was seen in, among others Minority Report, The Messenger and recently The Whale. However, her most famous role is most likely that of Alpha The Walking Dead.
‘Too thick’
Director Terry Gilliam, known for, among others Brazil and Monty Python and the Holy GrailMorton wanted to avoid snares The Brothers Grimm in 2005. The actress was also interested in this, but the role went to someone else.
The reason for this? None other than Harvey Weinstein, one of the most famous and powerful Hollywood figures at the time, thought Morton was ‘too fat’ for the role and therefore put a stop to it. The fact that this comes from Weinstein is of course also ironic, considering what he looks like…
Result
Morton had to play the role of Angelika Brothers Grimm therefore let it go. Ultimately, this Lena Headey (Game of Thrones). Gilliam, however, knew nothing about this and could not understand why it was not Morton.
As a result, the director did not have a good relationship with Headey. Weinstein had a ‘logical explanation’ for why he ultimately chose her. He is said to have said: “Lead actors Matt and Heath really wouldn’t want to fuck Samantha“.
