I don't understand why she didn't become a huge movie star.
Although Flashdance wasn't a hit with the critics, it grossed over $200 million at the box office, and she was great in the film. She's clearly had a successful career, a highlight being probably The L Word which lasted for like 5 seasons, but scrolling through her resume, it looks like until the 2000s, all she had were low budget B-movies. Why?
Her and dozens of other 80s sirens were one hit wonders or very short-lived movie stars. On top of that, there are plenty of critically acclaimed actresses from that era who never became box office stars as well.
shareShe was in John Cusack's Runaway Jury (2003) but she was like an extra.
shareIt's a fickle business. She's talented. I think she had movie star looks. Maybe the right follow up to Flashdance never came along.
shareAccording to her IMDb trivia page...
She was the original choice for the lead role in Pretty in Pink, but the role went to Molly Ringwald.
Was considered for the role of Catwoman/Selina Kyle in Batman Returns.
Was offered the role of Trinity in The Matrix but turned it down.
She was considered for the role of Sofia Al-Azwar in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum but Halle Berry was cast.
Flashdance wasn’t a very dramatic movie. Her acting was boring in that. She became a better actress later in her career.
shareIn his memoir, Hollywood Animal, screenwriter Joe Eszterhas wrote about Adrian Lyne's director's cut: "It was, I thought, beautifully done – the characters were fleshed out. It wasn't just the story of a welder who wanted to be a dancer; it was also the story of a young comedian who fails and gives up, of an ice skater who compromises her talent, of a young man who comes to realize what loving someone really means. But the studio – Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg – hated the cut and insisted that Adrian make deletions. Every time Adrian made a cut, they insisted on more until all that was left, finally, was dancing, a very bare story line, and music."
shareThey should release the director’s cut. I’d like to see more of the characters and their stories. I thought Saturday Night Fever did a great job with that. Both the main and secondary characters were interesting and all at some crossroad in their lives but it never detracted from the dancing.
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