Jennifer Lawrence attends the 35th Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on December 1, 2025. (Getty Images)
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence revealed she lost out on a Quentin Tarantino film role because of her looks.
On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Lawrence said she wasn’t cast as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood because some felt she “wasn’t pretty enough.” Margot Robbie ultimately played the role.
The Hateful Eight Opportunity
The conversation touched on past Tarantino projects. Horowitz noted, “Tarantino’s been chasing you. He wants you.” Lawrence laughed, admitting she wasn’t sure about that. She confirmed that Tarantino had considered her for The Hateful Eight, the 2015 western-mystery thriller, but she turned it down due to her busy schedule promoting The Hunger Games.
“That’s true. No, he said that,” Horowitz said. “’Hateful Eight.’ The Jennifer Jason Leigh part was originally written for you.” Lawrence acknowledged, “I turned it down, which I should not have done,” sparking laughter from the hosts and audience.
Sharon Tate Casting Controversy
Lawrence also addressed the role of Sharon Tate. “Well, he did and then everybody was like, ‘She’s not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate,’ and then they didn’t,” she said. The remark drew sympathy from listeners. Lawrence added that she might have internalized the story over time, saying, “I’m pretty sure that happened — or he just never was considering me for the part.”
The role eventually went to Margot Robbie, whose casting was also supported by Tate’s sister, Debra. Debra cited Robbie’s “physical beauty, and the way she even carries herself” as reasons for her preference, noting Lawrence “was not pretty enough to play Sharon.”
Other Roles in the Same Film
Tarantino later explored casting Lawrence as “Squeaky,” a follower of Charles Manson. Lawrence auditioned, but Dakota Fanning ultimately played the role. Tarantino praised Lawrence on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast in 2021, calling her “a very nice person” and emphasizing his respect for her acting talent.
Early Career Rejections and Hollywood Beauty Standards
Lawrence also joked about an early audition for Twilight, saying she didn’t get the role “’cause I guess I was too ugly.” Her comments highlight the persistent pressures and beauty standards that actors, particularly women, face in Hollywood — even for those who are internationally acclaimed.
Lawrence’s Career Remains Strong
Despite these setbacks, Lawrence has built a highly successful career, with multiple blockbuster franchises and an Academy Award to her name. Her revelations shine a light on casting biases and the often arbitrary standards applied to actresses in the entertainment industry.
