Juno Temple So Badly Wanted Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland Role

As I ponder upon the journey of Hannah Waddingham, I am deeply moved by her resilience and adaptability as an artist. From the early rejections to the eventual triumph of Ted Lasso, her story is one of determination and self-discovery.


In the eyes of some, Juno Temple might seem perfect to portray Alice in Wonderland, but Tim Burton wouldn’t share that opinion. In a recent chat with Miles Teller for Interview Magazine, the actress from Ted Lasso opened up about the heartache she experienced when being turned down for a coveted role and the lessons she gleaned from the experience.

In her own words (as reported by ScreenRant), Temple expressed that playing Alice was a role she deeply desired. Sadly, when it came to casting for Burton’s 2016 live-action remake, the director did not share the same sentiment. The part eventually went to Mia Wasikowska instead.

Why Did Juno Temple Get Rejected By Tim Burton?

As Teller’s conversation partner, I shared my thoughts about the formative experiences that shaped us. For me, it was the opportunity to embody Alice, a character I’ve admired since my childhood fascination with Lewis Carroll’s classic. “I was 17 when Tim Burton brought Alice in Wonderland to life,” I reminisced, feeling that age suited me perfectly for the role at the time. To express the depth of my affection, I added, “I have a first edition copy of Alice in Wonderland on my bedside table, akin to treating it as a sacred text.

Regrettably, Temple received disappointing news from her agent when he informed her that Tim Burton didn’t consider her suitable for the role of Alice. The conversation went something like this: “I recall my representative phoned and immediately said, ‘Are you seated? We simply wanted to let you know that Tim Burton doesn’t believe you are fit for Alice, so there won’t even be an audition for it.’ I was heartbroken.

Alice in Wonderland Throughout the Years in Film

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been there too – facing rejection in my creative pursuits. It wasn’t easy, but instead of letting it shatter me, I chose to learn from it. You see, sometimes you can’t help but feel the sting of rejection personally. But when the film finally made its way onto the screen, a lightbulb went off in my head. The experience, though initially painful, had given me a priceless lesson that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

She shared, “I watched the movie, and it was a profound revelation for me at age 17. I realized I wasn’t suited for the role of Alice. It seems fitting that when you see the finished product, everything falls into place, making clear why I wasn’t right for that part at that specific point in time. I even auditioned for some of those Disney remakes, but it’s as if I’m not Cinderella.

Some people believe that Temple had already mastered Ted Lasso’s key principle before joining the show – act like a goldfish.

Over the passing years, Temple has significantly established herself as a multi-faceted actress with an authoritative screen presence. Notably, her remarkable performance in Ted Lasso has led to a substantial decrease in auditions and an increase in role offers directly coming her way – a significant shift from her initial acting career.

Over the past couple of years, “Ted Lasso” has provided numerous opportunities for me. I’ve been acting since I was 16, but even now, getting offered roles still feels surprising, something I’m growing accustomed to. There are certain artists whose work I admire deeply, and I consider myself fortunate if they show interest in collaborating with me as well. Occasionally, this serendipity occurs.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself echoing the approach taken by the star of “Venom: The Last Dance.” She no longer dwells on external opinions but instead channels her energy into the work itself and her personal feelings towards it. This method of operation resonates deeply with me, reminding me of Coach Lasso’s wisdom and grace under pressure.

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2024-11-03 23:35