Elle Fanning revealed she lost a ‘big’ movie franchise role due to low Instagram followers while starring in an episode of the Happy Sad Confused Podcast which aired Thursday.
The Emmy-nominated actress, 25, who recently wowed in a plunging silver dress at the Los Angeles premiere of The Great, stopped by to talk about her career and the industry with host, Josh Horowitz.
At one point, the blonde beauty was asked if there was any “pressure” to join franchises like Marvel or Star Wars.
The star admitted she “didn’t feel that way,” but explained, “it does something for people, but you also don’t know if it’s going to work sometimes, which is scary.”
Fanning, who most notably starred in Disney’s Maleficent franchise, recalled trying for a major role, which she didn’t want to make public, recalling one time when she “didn’t get a role” due to a small social media presence.
Losing a role: Elle Fanning, 25, revealed she lost a “major” movie franchise role due to low Instagram followers while appearing on an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast that aired Thursday; seen in April in Beverly Hills
‘Busy’: At one point, the blonde beauty was asked if there was any ‘pressure’ to join franchises like Marvel or Star Wars
“Maybe it wasn’t just this reason, but this was all the feedback I heard, because I didn’t have enough Instagram followers at the time. So that was kind of like…”
“I absolutely don’t believe in that,” Fanning told the podcast host, continuing, “It was for a bigger thing, a franchise thing.”
She explained that if the opportunity presented itself in the future, she wouldn’t say no to those things. But I should have a meeting and actually talk to see what it is.’
Elle then referred to her The Great co-star, Nicholas Hoult, who had been in the running for the role of Batman, which eventually went to Robert Pattinson.
“I didn’t have to go through what Nick did, you know, doing all that stuff… trying on the suit,” she remarked.
However, the actress’s younger sister, Dakota Fanning, stressed the importance of having balance in the projects an individual undertakes.
‘Cause if you want to do your indie work especially producing now I realize well there are scripts I want to give a shot and produce and they’re small but then you know you need to know maybe it’s going for the experience.’
“But okay, knowing you’ve got that thing makes you breathe better,” the Super 8 actress further explained to Josh.
Although she had lost the franchise role, Elle has kept busy with her successful Hulu series titled The Great, with the third season officially premiering on the streaming site on Friday.
Low followers: Elle recalled trying out for a major franchise, which she chose not to disclose, but stated she “didn’t get a role” due to a small social media presence
‘Feedback’: She explained, ‘It may not have been just this reason, but this was all the feedback I heard, because I didn’t have enough Instagram followers at the time. So that was kind of like…”
Opening: “I don’t really believe in that,” Fanning told the podcast host, continuing, “It was for a bigger thing, a franchise thing”
Created by Tony McNamara, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series also stars Nicholas Hoult, Sacha Dhawan, Phoebe Fox and Adam Godley.
The third season continues to follow Elle’s character, Empress Catherine, and her husband, Peter III (Nicholas), concluding the 10-episode season with shocking twists and turns.
During an interview with Harper’s Bazaar last month in April, the Cartier ambassador, who sported an elegant spring bride at the 2023 MET Gala earlier this month, opened up about portraying Catherine of the Years.
“She takes risks, but she has to work at it. She is powerful, but not always the most powerful person in the room. She can be both scheming and naive. She’s a girl and a woman,” the star explained.
“I played Catherine in such formative years of my life. I grew as a woman with her.’
In addition to the Hulu show, Fanning has a few other projects up her sleeve, such as starring alongside her sister, Dakota Fanning, in an adaptation of the novel titled Nightingale, written by Kristin Hannah.
Successful series: Elle has been busy with her successful Hulu series titled The Great, with the third season officially premiering on the streaming site on Friday
Embracing the role: “I played Catherine in such formative years of my life. I’ve grown as a woman next to her,” Elle told Harper’s Bazaar; seen at the 2023 MET Gala earlier this month in NYC
A team: ‘We’re a good team, because I’m more cynical about things. I’m a bit more of a snob,” she added humorously, expressing that Dakota, “need to ground me a bit”; the sisters seen in West Hollywood in March
The official premise follows: “The lives of two sisters living in France are torn apart at the outbreak of the Second World War,” according to a IMDB synopsis. However, the project has been delayed since 2021 and is currently still in the pre-production phase.
While on the podcast, Elle, who divorced boyfriend Max Minghella last month in April, discussed working with her sister, saying, “We’re pretty much on the same page, I’ll say.” But we can like each other, convince each other. We’re quite diplomatic.’
“We’re a good team because I’m more cynical about things. I’m a bit more of a snob,” she added humorously, expressing that Dakota, “needs to ground me a bit. And then I’m like, “Oh God, you’re right. Yeah.”
Regarding The Nightingale project, the star hinted that she felt, “It came back. And I think we both wish that was the only one, honestly. The script is so good. The book is so loved. I hope that works.’