Juno Temple shares her experience of being turned down for the lead role in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Mia Wasikowska took on the role of Alice in the 2010 live-action Disney adaptation and returned for the 2016 sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass.
Although neither film is typically regarded as one of Tim Burton’s finest works, Alice in Wonderland grossed over $1 billion globally, and both films would have represented significant career milestones for Temple at an earlier stage in her journey.
In a conversation with Interview Magazine, Temple shared her feelings of devastation upon not only losing the role but also missing out on the opportunity to audition for it. She expressed her lifelong admiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, stating that portraying Alice was a dream role for her, making the absence of an audition particularly heartbreaking.
Nevertheless, Temple highlights that this experience of rejection imparted a significant lesson that she carried with her as she progressed in her career.
According to Juno Temple, “Early in your career, it’s crucial to grasp the reasons behind a ‘no.’ Naturally, it’s hard not to take it personally at times. I was just 17 when Tim Burton released Alice in Wonderland. I keep a first edition of Alice in Wonderland on my bedside table, treating it like a sacred text. It was truly a dream role for me. I had a strong desire to portray Alice. I recall my agent calling me, and the first thing he said was, Are you seated? We need to inform you that Tim Burton believes you aren’t the right fit for Alice, so there won’t be an audition for the part. I felt utterly crushed. No, hold on a second. I saw the movie. At 17, I came to a significant realization – I wasn’t meant to play Alice. I’m the Queen of Hearts. When you view the finished product, it becomes clear why you weren’t suited for that role at that particular time. I tried out for several of those Disney remakes. And honestly, I’m not Cinderella.”
What This Signified For Juno Temple ?
Although it was deeply disappointing for Temple to miss the opportunity to audition for the role of Alice, it ultimately did not derail her career path. Her portrayal of Keeley Jones in Ted Lasso garnered critical acclaim and led to an Emmy Award nomination.
Additionally, Temple’s performance in Fargo Season 5 received significant recognition, and she has now taken on the prominent role of Dr. Teddy Payne in the Sony Marvel film Venom – The Last Dance.
Temple came to understand that not being cast as Alice, along with missing out on the lead role in various Disney live-action remakes, indicated she might not be the ideal fit for portraying Alice or other Disney princesses like Cinderella.
Instead, her strengths shine in roles of villains, such as the Queen of Hearts, or in complex characters like Keeley from Ted Lasso. Had Alice in Wonderland been her defining role, she could have been pigeonholed into similar parts, potentially missing out on the opportunities where she truly thrived later in her career.
Our Perspective On Juno Temple’s Remarks
Temple’s feelings of disappointment for not being cast in Alice in Wonderland echo Jenna Ortega’s sentiments about missing out on a role in Burton’s Dumbo. These situations highlight that even prominent movie stars experience their own setbacks throughout their careers.
The absence of a role in a live-action Disney remake helmed by the iconic Burton was undoubtedly a significant disappointment, yet both Temple and Ortega have emerged stronger from these experiences, with their careers flourishing. In fact, Temple’s career has thrived precisely because she did not take on the role in Alice in Wonderland.