Winona Ryder Recalls Losing a Role with Marlon Brando After ‘Heathers’
Winona Ryder has shared an interesting piece of her early career in a recent interview, revealing that her decision to take on the role in the 1988 cult classic Heathers cost her a significant opportunity with legendary actor Marlon Brando.
In an exclusive interview with Elle UK, Ryder recalled how she was told she would “never work again” after agreeing to star in the satirical teen film. The backlash surrounding Heathers, particularly its dark humor about suicide, was a major factor in the lost opportunity. Ryder’s role in Heathers, which garnered significant controversy for its handling of such a sensitive subject, made her a polarizing figure in Hollywood at the time.
Ryder explained, “I was told I was never gonna work again if I did Heathers.” She hesitated but ultimately confirmed that her casting in The Freshman alongside Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick was rescinded because of the backlash against Heathers. She continued, “They thought it was making fun of teen suicide. They were deeply offended and, yeah, they revoked the offer.”
The Aftermath of Heathers and Its Legacy
While Heathers was a box office flop upon its initial release, grossing just $1.1 million worldwide, it has since become a beloved cult classic. The film’s portrayal of high school cliques and dark humor resonated with generations of viewers, ultimately inspiring a musical and a brief TV reboot in 2016. Despite the controversy it generated, Heathers remains one of Ryder’s most iconic roles.
Interestingly, Ryder also revealed that her agent had begged her not to take the role, which added to her sense of defiance when accepting the part. The decision to stand her ground has now earned Ryder a place in pop culture history.
The Freshman and What Could Have Been
The Freshman was a comedy about a young man who enters the world of organized crime after befriending a shady millionaire. Ryder had been offered a role in the film, but as she recounted, the controversy over Heathers and its theme led to her being removed from the project. It was a moment in her career that shaped the way she would navigate Hollywood, especially in terms of the roles she would take on afterward.
While she did lose the role, Ryder’s career went on to become one of the most respected in Hollywood. She went on to star in several successful films, including Edward Scissorhands (1990), Beetlejuice (1988), and the Stranger Things series, which has only enhanced her legacy as one of the industry’s most iconic actresses.
Conclusion: The Boldness of a Risk-Taker
Ryder’s story is a reminder of how bold decisions in one’s career, even when they lead to early setbacks, can ultimately define a person’s legacy. While Heathers was initially controversial and even cost Ryder a major role, it helped her develop a career that has spanned decades and includes some of the most memorable characters in cinema history.
