Daryl Hannah’s unexpected journey to Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto in Steel Magnolias took a surprising twist when she was originally eyed for the role that made Julia Roberts a household name. In a recent interview, Hannah shared that director Herbert Ross initially rejected her for the role of Annelle, but she eventually won the part after a memorable audition.
Daryl Hannah’s Audition for Annelle and the Role Reversal
Daryl Hannah was set on playing Annelle, the shy cosmetologist-in-training in Steel Magnolias, but Ross had a different vision. Despite her interest in the role, Ross believed she was not a fit for Annelle. “He was like, ‘No, absolutely not, I don’t see it,’” Hannah recalled to PEOPLE. Ross, known for his strict directing style, was initially unconvinced of her suitability for the role.
However, Hannah, who felt more connected to Annelle’s character than to Shelby’s, persisted. She pushed for an audition, and when she arrived wearing oversized glasses and her hair teased to the sky, Ross didn’t recognize her. This transformation was a pivotal moment for Hannah, who relished in the experience of embodying someone completely different.
Julia Roberts’ Breakthrough and Daryl Hannah’s Shift
At the time of casting, Daryl Hannah was already an established star with a string of successful films such as Blade Runner, Splash, and Roxanne. Julia Roberts, by contrast, was still building her career, having gained attention with Mystic Pizza but yet to secure a breakthrough role. Despite Hannah’s fame, Ross insisted that she was not right for Annelle, preferring to cast her as Shelby, a character who would propel Julia Roberts into stardom.
In a twist of fate, Hannah ended up playing Annelle, and the rest is history. The film, which centered around the women of Chinquapin Parish, featured standout performances from Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and the late Olympia Dukakis. While Roberts’ portrayal of Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie is undoubtedly one of the most emotional and iconic roles in the film, many argue that Hannah’s portrayal of Annelle might actually be the key to the story’s emotional depth.
Hannah also reflected on the film’s behind-the-scenes atmosphere, noting how it was one of the few projects where she experienced true camaraderie among women. Having previously encountered competition and animosity from other actresses, Steel Magnolias was a refreshing change for her. She shared, “Everyone talks about, now, ‘Women supporting women!’ Well, in my day, it was not like that,” adding that the collaborative, supportive nature of her co-stars was a standout experience.
The film’s production was not without its challenges, however. In another interview, Sally Field recalled how Ross was often tough on Julia Roberts, which created a tense environment for the young actress. “He was very, very, very hard on Julia. If you ever talk to Julia, she’ll tell you,” Field said. She added that despite Ross’s harshness, the cast rallied around Roberts, offering support when it was needed most.
Julia Roberts went on to earn her first Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Shelby, and Steel Magnolias became a career-defining film for her, winning her multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. The success of the film also helped elevate the careers of the entire ensemble cast, including Sally Field and Dolly Parton.
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Sources:
PEOPLE, Vulture
