“I couldn’t do that”: Marvel Star Angela Bassett Turned Down Potential Oscar Winning Role for a Selfless Reason That Later Went to Halle Berry
American actor Angela Bassett is one of the most talented actors Hollywood has ever produced. She has been a significant part of reputed projects like Black Panther, London Has Fallen, Otherhood, and The Rosa Parks Story. The Golden Globe Award-winning actor was critically praised for her performance in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It. She played the character of the prominent singer Tina Turner in the biopic.
Angela Bassett is quite popular for her choice of projects over the years. Not many people know that the actor had straightaway turned down a romantic comedy-drama that even earned Halle Berry an Academy Award.
Angela Bassett On Turning Down Monster’s Ball
During an interview with the media outlet Newsweek in 2002, Angela Bassett spoke about turning down the character of Leticia Musgrove in Monster’s Ball. The role was played by Halle Berry and even earned her an Academy Award for her exemplary performance in the romantic comedy. The Black Panther actor said-
”I couldn’t do that because it’s such a stereotype about black women and sexuality. Film is forever. It’s about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean, Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that.”
While talking about Halle Berry’s performance, she mentioned-
”I can’t and don’t begrudge Halle her success. It wasn’t the role for me, but I told her she’d win, and I told her to go get what was hers. Of course, I want one, too. I would love to have an Oscar. But it has to be for something I can sleep with at night.”
Halle Berry played the character of a waitress, not exactly a prostitute, who ends up having an affair with her convict husband’s executioner. Angela Basset had turned down the role right away because she found it very demeaning to play the character of a prostitute on screen.
Angela Bassett On Why Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Will Always Hold A Special Place In Her Career
During an interview with the famous media outlet Deadline, Angela Basset spoke about her movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The actor has been associated with the Marvel franchise since 2018. Angela Bassett even mentioned why Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would always hold a special place in her acting career and how real life influenced her character in the movie. She said-
“Much has been said, and it’s true, there’s a story here that is led by women — and by Black women, by and large. I think we are a very strong, resolute tribe, so I’m very proud of that and just proud of what we’re able to do onscreen and proud of the impact that we’ve had with audiences.”
She further added-
It’s an honor when the movies you make, and the entertainment you give, is also helpful to the lives of some. This movie was about grief and loss, family, remembrance, a legacy, and moving on. That’s something that’s so very human. To actually connect with audience members who have gone through some of this, and it being a source of comfort and conversation for them and their families, that really is quite an honor that you’re not expecting. But it’s an unexpected benefit and blessing.
Angela Bassett played the character of Queen Ramonda, the ruler of a secret and technologically progressive African nation known as Wakanda in the Black Panther franchise. The supportive queen is the leader of the Wakandans.
