“I never worked with him again”: Angelina Jolie Turned Down an Oscar Winning Role Because of Harvey Weinstein

The entertainment industry’s most celebrated actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian Angelina Jolie is also lauded for keeping her thoughts straight and unwaveringly confronting misconduct.

The Oscar-winning actress didn’t hesitate turning down a significant role in Martin Scorsese’s film, as former film producer Harvey Weinstein was involved in The Aviator. In an interview, Angelina Jolie explained that she was offered to be a part of the 2004 biopic of the American business tycoon, Howard Hughes.

However, her previous encounter with Harvey Weinstein in a hotel room, made her decide not to collaborate with the former producer ever in her career. The actress took the encounter as an abuse of her rights, and when she learned about his involvement in The Aviator, Jolie took no time to reject the film.

Angelina Jolie Rejected a Major Role in The Aviator Due To Harvey Weinstein’s Involvement

Soon after her first Oscar win for 1999’s Girl, Interrupted, Angelina Jolie emerged as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and highest-paid actresses. Jolie’s contributions aren’t limited to the entertainment industry as she’s also a well-known humanitarian and a talented director. The actress has been vocal about the wrongdoings in the industry and often stands against them.

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Similarly, Angelina Jolie had to turn it down when she was offered a role in The Aviator alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. In an interview with The Guardian, the Salt star was promoting her book and opened up about her first encounter with Harvey Weinstein in a hotel room. She said:

“It was beyond a pass, it was something I had to escape. I stayed away and warned people about him… I was asked to do The Aviator, but I said no because he was involved. I never associated or worked with him again.”

Jolie revealed that her encounter was extremely uncomfortable and made her warn people to stay away from Harvey Weinstein. The actress didn’t reveal the exact role she was given, but considering her reputation, the role must be significant. However, Angeline Jolie vowed to never work with Weinstein again and rejected The Aviator which won five Academy Awards. The former film producer has faced multiple charges related to sexual assault and r*pe.

Angelina Jolie Was Hurt as Ex-Husband Brad Pitt Agreed Working With Harvey Weinstein

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In the same interview, Angelina Jolie also revealed that despite telling her then-husband about the wrongdoings of Harvey Weinstein, Brad Pitt agreed to star in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, which was co-produced by Weinstein. The Mr. and Mrs. Smith star said:

“It was hard for me when Brad did… We fought about it. Of course, it hurt.”

Jolie felt that Brad Pitt ignored the sexual assault she encountered, resulting in hurtful feelings. In 2017, the #MeToo movement gained significant attention in the industry, when actors including Jolie, Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd, and Rose McGowan stood against the acts of Harvey Weinstein.

In 2020, the former film producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison after he was found guilty of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree.