Daryl Hannah Was Meant to Play Julia Roberts’ Role in ‘Steel Magnolias’ – Find Out What Happened
It’s been 35 years since the release of Steel Magnolias (1989), and the film continues to be a favorite among fans. With an iconic cast and heartfelt story, it has cemented itself in entertainment history. What many might not know is that the movie could have looked a lot different, without Julia Roberts at the helm.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Steel Magnolias (1989) is a heartfelt drama-comedy set in a small Louisiana town. It centers around a close-knit group of women who share their lives, joys and sorrows, who form a bond at Truvy’s beauty salon, where they gather to discuss everything from marriages to illnesses. The plot follows Shelby Eatenton (played by Julia Roberts), a young diabetic woman whose desire to have a baby poses life-threatening risks, and her relationship with her mother, M’Lynn (Sally Field).
The ensemble cast also includes Dolly Parton as the warm-hearted Truvy; Shirley MacLaine as Ouiser; Olympia Dukakis as the witty Clairee; and Daryl Hannah as the reserved Annelle. Adapted from Robert Harling’s stage play, the movie is an emotional exploration of friendship, resilience and the complexities of life.
Steel Magnolias performed well at the box office, grossing over $83 million in the United States against a rather modest budget, solidifying its status as a sleeper hit. Critics praised the ensemble cast’s chemistry and the balance of humor and sentiment, even though some found the melodrama a bit excessive.
Roberts received particular acclaim, earning her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, as well as her first Golden Globe nomination.
Julia Roberts wasn’t originally meant to play Shelby Eatenton
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Shelby Eatenton. Julia Roberts did such a fantastic job that it seems as though the role was created for her specifically. Surprisingly, that wasn’t actually the case.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Daryl Hannah revealed that director Herbert Ross had actually wanted her to play the character. However, she really wanted the role of Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto and had to beg to audition for the part.
Speaking about the experience, Hannah said, “He was like, ‘No, absolutely not, I don’t see it.’ And I said, ‘Please let me.'” Despite his disapproval, she ended up going to the audition anyway and styled herself until she was virtually unrecognizable. She pinned her hair in the style of the hairdresser, wore her glasses and transformed into a completely different person.
“He didn’t recognize me,” Hannah explained. “I love that feeling where you really turn into somebody else.”
Daryl Hannah says Julia Roberts had guts
While Daryl Hannah had had a few years of acting under her belt by the time Steel Magnolias was released, the film served as one of the Julia Roberts had ever starred in. That being said, her lack of experience didn’t hurt her performance, as she was highly praised and recognized for her role as Shelby Eatenton. This is likely, in part, because of the attitude she carried herself with while working.
“She was always a very confident girl,” Hannah explained. “She was very confident about herself. I remember her asking [costar] Sam Shepard to write her something, and I was like, ‘Whoa, that takes balls.'”
Julia Roberts went on to become one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood, establishing herself as an icon and powerhouse in the industry.
