Looking back at the legendary Queen of Rock and Roll, and Grammy winner Tina Turner’s career, we can certainly agree that the late icon not only dominated the music industry but also portrayed her versatility in a few critically acclaimed projects. However, despite her serious acting aspirations, Turner felt limited by opportunities for Black women as well as the type of roles she was being offered.
Addressing how she was offered a leading role in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, featuring Whoopi Goldberg, who later scored an Academy Award nomination for her role, Tina Turner mentioned rejecting the part. However, in a surprising turn of events, the late legend noted accepting George Miller’s Mad Max sequel, Beyond Thunderdome.
Tina Turner Turned Down Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple
Debuting with Ken Russell’s 1975 film Tommy, where she played the memorable role of The Acid Queen, Tina Turner admitted getting limited opportunities to play complex characters in critically acclaimed projects. Although the actress initially accepted the role because she “got the chance to be this mad woman and doing all these things”, Turner later admitted “flinching” upon looking back at Tommy.
However, given her adamant desire to try out her aspiration of becoming an actress alongside her musical career, Tina Turner mentioned getting opportunities in cult classics like Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple. But surprisingly, the actress admitted refusing the part, and carefully skimming through the roles to find something that would enhance her skills.
In a resurfaced interview with Luce Cinecitta from 1986, Tina Turner explained her reason behind turning down The Color Purple. Telling interviewer Serena Dandini that it reflected “too much back on my life with my ex-husband”, Turner mentioned, she didn’t want to get dragged down by her past, but rather move on from it.
I mean, I’m talking always to the press about my life, and now to do a movie? I’m just dragging myself down. I’m trying to forget the past because it’s done. It’s over. I finished that part of my life, and I’m not going to do a part that will remind me of what I’ve lived already. I think Steve understood that I couldn’t do it for that reason, finally, after I really expressed what it was.
Offering a valid reason for turning down a cult classic like The Color Purple, Tina Turner admitted rejecting multiple movies, after facing the issue of typecasting in Hollywood.
Rejecting Steven Spielberg, Tina Turner Joined George Miller’s Film
After beginning her acting career with roles like The Acid Queen in Tommy, Tina Turner mentioned how she was repeatedly offered roles as a “h**ker”. Almost getting typecast in Hollywood, the late icon refused almost every role, until she was approached by George Miller, for his Mad Max sequel Beyond Thunderdome.
Although the legendary Queen of Rock and Roll previously had the opportunity to appear in Steven Spielberg‘s 1985 The Color Purple, which could have catapulted her career, Tina Turner mentioned refusing it and instead choosing George Miller’s 1985 movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Explaining the compelling reason behind her decision to choose Miller’s action flick, Turner admitted that the role allowed her to be physical.
She was a warrior woman first. It is the warrior woman parts that I want. I want physical parts. I want to drive the machines, to do the fighting. I want to be physical. I still need that excitement.
Admitting that she was looking for roles as a powerful woman like those in Terminator and Alien, Tina Turner mentioned her desperate desire to break free from Hollywood’s typecast as a hooker. Therefore, since George Miller’s movie came as a fresh breath of air for Turner, the late legend immediately accepted the part.
Really street, really h**ker. No madwoman, no machines, nothing but just straight hooker. I didn’t want it. I didn’t want to just be on the screen just for the sake of being up there. I wanted to do something that people would remember me for. Something that I would enjoy and be proud of.
I look back at Acid Queen now and I sort of flinch when I see how horrible it was. Still, people liked it and they remembered it. So I just didn’t take any part because nothing came in that was right until Mad Max.
Tina Turner’s decision to choose Mad Max over The Color Purple may have raised eyebrows at the time, but it ultimately showcased her desire to take on roles that challenged her physically and creatively. Eventually, her iconic performance in George Miller’s action flick cemented her status as a versatile artist, capable of excelling in both music and film.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is available on Max.
