Actress Winona Ryder has had a lengthy acting career, but she almost missed out on one of her most iconic movies early on in her career. Her role in Heathers, which came just a year after her breakout role in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, wouldn’t have happened if her agent had got her way. In a dual interview alongside Beetlejuice Beetlejuice costar Jenna Ortega, Ryder told Harper’s BAZAAR that her agent begged her not to take the role. The pair quizzed each other on their careers, and Ortega was asked what role Ryder’s agent begged her not to take. After being stumped, Ryder gave some clues and Ortega guessed correctly that it was Heathers.
“My agent at the time literally got down on her knees, she’s like, ‘Please, you’re gonna destroy any chance of a career,’” she said.
“But I actually did lose a job right when it was coming out. I had been cast in a movie, and the director took great offense to it. I think I made the right call.”
While Heathers garnered just over a million dollars at the box office, the film’s influence was felt. It went on to be adapted into both a TV series and a musical, although Ryder was not involved with either of those. The movie may not have been a smash hit at the box office, but it’s safe to say things turned out just well for the actress.
Ryder Has Been Busy Since Heathers
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Ryder’s third film in as many years if you count her uncredited appearance in 2023’s Haunted Mansion, and she still has her role in Stranger Things. The upcoming fifth season of the hit Netflix show is set to be the last, and it’ll open up a lot more time for Ryder if she plans on appearing in more movies. Her part in the Beetlejuice sequel has garnered a lot of praise, and her comments during the press tour has garnered a lot of discussion.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ryder explained how some of her Stranger Things co-stars aren’t interested in movies, and it makes her worry about the future. She didn’t name any names, but there’s been speculation it’s Millie Bobbie Brown due to her previous comments about movies and their length.
“I don’t mean to sound so hopeless,” she said.
“There are a few that are just not interested in movies. Like, the first thing they say is, ‘How long is it?’”
Ryder hasn’t had the same type of problem with her Beetlejuice 2 co-star Jenna Ortega. Ortega has been outspoken about her love for film, and she delivered quite the lineup when talking about her four favorites in an interview with Letterboxd. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the two pop up again in a future project. In fact, Ortega has already started a public campaign to get Ryder to appear in a future season of Wednesday. With the show being directed by Burton, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see Ryder involved.
You can catch Winona Ryder in
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
, in theaters now.
