Dolly Parton’s Old Interview About Turning Down $7 Million Role in ‘Supergirl’ Resurfaces

In the weeks following Dolly Parton’s passing on August 25, fans and media outlets have dedicated time to revisiting her remarkable career, exploring past interviews, overlooked film credits, and anecdotes that highlight her thoughtful approach to the roles she accepted. Among these stories, one in particular stands out, revealing much about her character as both an artist and an individual.

Parton crafted one of the most iconic careers in American entertainment, seamlessly transitioning between hit music and a series of unforgettable film performances, including ‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,’ and ‘Straight Talk.’ Her filmography, much like her musical endeavors, showcased a clear vision of the narratives she wished to convey and the persona she aimed to embody.

This selectivity is what makes her decision to turn down a significant role particularly noteworthy. Parton once shared that she declined a $7 million offer to portray the antagonist in 1984’s ‘Supergirl,’ a part that ultimately went to Faye Dunaway, choosing instead to forgo one of the largest paychecks available to her at that time.

The story originates from a 1992 interview Parton gave, where she expressed her reluctance to play a character that was purely evil. Although she was impressed by the lucrative offer, she felt insulted by the assumption that she could convincingly portray a villainous witch.

Parton clarified that her choice wasn’t about maintaining a squeaky-clean image. She acknowledged her ability to explore darker themes when appropriate but insisted that embodying an outright evil character did not resonate with her true self or the type of work she aspired to create.

Her reasoning extended beyond just that singular role. Parton highlighted the wealth of lighthearted, romantic, and uplifting stories still waiting to be told, indicating that she saw little reason to pursue strange or villainous roles when there were so many projects that aligned better with her storytelling sensibilities.

In retrospect, her decision appears to have been an easy one. ‘Supergirl’ featured Helen Slater in the lead role alongside Faye Dunaway, Peter O’Toole, and Peter Cook, but the film has since been regarded as one of the most criticized entries in the superhero genre, earning a mere 19 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and landing on the site’s list of the worst superhero films ever made.

Critics were largely unkind to the film upon its release and in the years since, citing its cheesy effects, aimless storytelling, and lackluster action sequences as reasons it failed to garner the audience or critical acclaim that other comic book adaptations of the time achieved. Dunaway’s portrayal of Selena did little to redeem the film’s reputation.

For Parton, declining the role was not about avoiding a box office flop, as there was no way to predict the film’s eventual reception. It was fundamentally about remaining true to the image and values she had cultivated throughout her career, even when the financial incentive to compromise was significant.

Stories like this have gained new significance since Parton’s passing, providing fans with further insight into the principles that guided her decisions both on stage and on screen. As tributes continue to flow in from around the globe, moments like her rejection of the ‘Supergirl’ role serve as a poignant reminder of the consistency she maintained throughout her public life.

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