Janet Jackson Reveals She Almost Played This 1 Iconic Superhero Role

Janet Jackson has revealed she came close to playing an iconic superhero character on the big screen.

During a new interview on Drew Barrymore’s US talk show, the five-time Grammy winner was asked about long-held rumours that she was “almost in The Matrix”, though she claimed this was not the case.

However, the That’s The Way Love Goes singer did have another close call with a major film role.

“Ooooh, this is horrible,” Janet began. “I can’t remember the film, but Halle Berry played Storm.”

A stunned Drew then asked whether this meant that her guest was almost cast in the X-Men movies, to which she confirmed: “I couldn’t, because I was just embarking on the Janet. tour, but I think that’s what you’re confusing [The Matrix] with.”

Halle Berry as Storm in the X-Men movies
Halle Berry as Storm in the X-Men movies

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Back in 2021, Gabrielle Union claimed she had an audition of her own for The Matrix, for which she decided to channel Janet Jackson – only for the woman herself to wind up arriving in the audition room, too.

“The same audition and I’m cosplaying as Janet,” Gabrielle joked during an appearance on James Corden’s now-defunct talk show.

Meanwhile, Drew matched Janet’s story with an anecdote of her own about how she turned a major movie offer in the mid-1990s.

Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore

Raymond Hall via Getty Images

“I have so many of those experiences,” the Charlie’s Angels star said. “Mine was… I’ve never said this out loud… Boogie Nights. There was a moment where we were talking about Boogie Nights.

“I think it’s when I went and did Ever After. I went in a very different direction.”

Watch Janet Jackson being interviewed by Drew Barrymore below:

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Hugh Jackman Reveals How Wolverine’s ‘Growling’ Has Impacted His Voice

Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman said he thinks he did damage to his voice while playing the mutant Marvel character.

The X-Men star, who has played Logan/Wolverine in several films since 2000, told BBC Radio 4′s Front Row this week that he believes the role did a number on his voice.

“I’ve done some damage to my voice with Wolverine, my falsetto is not as strong as it used to be and that I directly put down to some of the growling and yelling,” Hugh said.

“My voice teacher in drama school would’ve been horrified by some of the things I did.”

The Greatest Showman actor added that he learned a technique on how to shout and yell in school without “ruining your voice” but, as Wolverine, he said he did damage to how he sounds.

“During Wolverine, I did some screaming and yelling and things that I think did damage my voice, which I think I’m working on,” Hugh said.

“I work with a singing teacher, and I make sure that I try not to hurt myself. And I really put a lot of effort into both physical movement, and my vocal preparation for every role.”

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Hugh is set to play Wolverine for the 10th time in the upcoming film Deadpool 3 and he told CNN’s Chris Wallace last month that he’d make it his job to train for the role.

“I’ve learned you can’t rush it. I’ve learned that it takes time,” he said.

“So we have six months from when I finish [‘The Music Man’ on Broadway] to when I start filming and I’m not doing any other work, I’m going to be with my family and train. That’s going to be my job for six months.”

Hugh, during his interview on Front Row, teased that his movie with Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds will be “very different” from what fans have seen from Wolverine in the past.

He added that he’ll be shooting the movie, which is set for a 2024 release, this summer.

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