„I just don’t get it when I read action stuff like that.” Halle Berry turned down the chance to star with Keanu Reeves in a 1990s hit

As a die-hard fan of Halle Berry’s illustrious career, I must admit that her decision to pass on Speed left me somewhat perplexed. Reflecting upon her life experiences, it’s easy to understand why she might have found the dialogue sparse or the action sequences unappealing; after all, she has graced us with some of the most captivating and nuanced performances in Hollywood.

Halle Berry initially agreed to act alongside Keanu Reeves in a popular 1990s action movie, but eventually decided not to take part. Instead, Sandra Bullock took on that role, and the film, known as Speed, ended up being highly successful, earning $350 million at the box office from a budget of just $30 million. (Source: Box Office Mojo)

In an interview with Movieline magazine in April 1995 (as shared by Far Out Magazine), Halle Berry admitted that when she first read the script for Speed, she was struck by how little dialogue it contained. Moreover, the movie’s action primarily took place at Dodger Stadium and required her to ride around on a bus. However, neither of these aspects convinced her, leading her to decide that the film wasn’t right for her, and she ultimately declined the role.

I chose to decline the offer for “Speed”, as I found myself thinking, “I’m not keen on operating that bus.” The dialogue wasn’t extensive. To be honest, when it comes to action-packed scenes like, “The bus raced at 100 miles per hour over a bridge,” I struggle to connect. In one of the scripts they provided, the bus never even left Dodger Stadium; it just kept circling aimlessly around the parking lot instead!

Yet, the actress acknowledged the color-neutral approach to casting, an uncommon practice back then. Furthermore, she admitted that her admiration for the film grew upon viewing it rather than just reading the script, and a tinge of remorse surfaced as she wished she had starred in it instead.

Initially, what resonated with me was realizing, “This isn’t my chance to win an Oscar, but this role wasn’t originally intended for a Black woman.” Upon viewing the completed film, I was captivated and thought, “Apparently, the gods of cinema didn’t have a conversation with me about this project.

Initially, Halle Berry declined an opportunity to be in the movie “Speed“, as the script didn’t seem appealing to her. However, upon seeing the completed film, she realized the concept held great potential that wasn’t initially evident on paper.

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2024-12-13 22:31