Five Legendary Film Roles Madonna Nearly Took—and Thankfully Didn’t

Madonna’s influence on the world of pop music is undeniable, but her forays into cinema have been rather more divisive. While she’s certainly graced the silver screen on numerous occasions, it’s difficult to argue that any of her performances have truly entered the pantheon of classic film roles. Still, the landscape of popular culture could have looked quite different had she accepted some of the parts she was offered—or at least considered for—over the years.

Madonna’s Cinematic Reputation

It’s not every day that someone is labelled the worst actor in film history by scientific analysis, yet Madonna has managed to earn that dubious distinction. Despite this, her turn in Evita—a role originally intended for Meryl Streep—stands out as a rare highlight. Her portrayal won her a Golden Globe, though not everyone was convinced; Patti LuPone, for one, was less than impressed. For the most part, however, her filmography is littered with Razzie nominations and wins, a testament to the fact that her acting career has not matched her musical success.

One might wonder whether landing a truly memorable or critically acclaimed part could have changed perceptions. Yet, as the saying goes, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Even so, a few more hits might have offered her a brief respite from the relentless criticism.

Roles That Slipped Away

Among the most notable opportunities Madonna missed are two roles that have become cultural touchstones: Catwoman in Batman Returns and Trinity in The Matrix. Both characters were brought to life by Michelle Pfeiffer and Carrie-Anne Moss, respectively, and have since become iconic. Reflecting on her decision, Madonna admitted,

“I regret that I turned down”

the chance to play Catwoman. As for Trinity, she lamented passing on

“one of the best movies ever made.”

Her near-misses didn’t end there. In 1997, it was announced that she would take on the role of Velma Kelly in the film adaptation of Chicago. Five years later, Catherine Zeta-Jones would win an Oscar for the same part. Years earlier, Madonna had expressed a desire to portray Frida Kahlo, an artist she greatly admired. Ultimately, Salma Hayek’s passion for the project saw her not only star in Frida but also earn an Academy Award nomination.

What Might Have Been

There were even rumours that Madonna was considered for the role of Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic, a notion that seems rather far-fetched in hindsight. She also revealed in an interview that

“it was between me and Sharon Stone”

for the part of Ginger McKenna in Martin Scorsese’s Casino, a role that would go on to earn Stone an Oscar nomination.

Would Madonna have outshone any of the actresses who ultimately took these roles? It’s highly unlikely. In fact, it’s fair to say that the films themselves may have dodged a bullet. That’s one Oscar-winning and two Oscar-nominated roles, plus two pop culture icons, all of which could have been hers—along with, if the gossip is to be believed, a place aboard the doomed Titanic.

Iconic Roles That Escaped Madonna

To sum up, here are the legendary parts that Madonna nearly played: Catwoman in Batman Returns, Trinity in The Matrix, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Frida Kahlo in Frida, and Ginger McKenna in Casino. In the end, cinema history took a different path, and perhaps for the best.