Charlize Theron was in the race for the role of Nomi Malone in Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls. The director, who made the cult erotic film Basic Instinct, was once brutally criticized for his 1995 film. Elizabeth Berkley, who eventually landed the role in the film, was also vilified for her role. Verhoeven shared that Theron was lucky that she didn’t get the part.

Charlize Theron as Marlo in Tully | Credits: Focus Features

Berkley felt a strong connection to the main character Nomi and conducted her own research into the role by interviewing strippers before the audition. Berkley was so confident that she even reportedly told Verhoeven that no one else could play the role like her. The criticism against the film has died down in more recent years after fans understood what the actress was going for.

Charlize Theron narrowly escaped a storm of criticism Charlize Theron as Andy in...