In 1993, the collaboration of two major Hollywood stars, Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, in a legal thriller adapted from a popular novel, “The Pelican Brief,” attracted attention.
The film portrayed a law student and a reporter working together to unravel the mystery behind the assassinations of two Supreme Court justices.
Initially, there were plans for a romantic kiss scene between the characters, but it never materialized.
Almost a decade after the release of “The Pelican Brief,” both actors shed light on why they opted out of filming a kiss scene.
While Julia Roberts was open to the idea of sharing a romantic moment with Washington, he had his reasons for declining such a scene.
Let’s delve into the details.
Roberts, keen on having Washington as her co-star in the drama, expressed her desire for him to play the role of Gray Grantham in the film.
Washington, who had already made a mark in the industry with notable award nominations and wins, was Roberts’ top choice for the part.
Despite initial doubts, Washington’s performance impressed Roberts, leading to a successful on-screen partnership.
The absence of a love scene between their characters was not a decision made by Roberts.
She revealed that she faced criticism over the lack of a kiss with Washington in the movie.
Roberts clarified that she was eager to share a kiss with Washington, but it was ultimately Washington’s call to remove the scenes from the script.
Washington, on the other hand, had multiple reasons for axing the love scenes with Roberts.
One significant factor was his consideration for his Black female fan base.
Washington recalled an incident during a test screening of one of his earlier films where a kiss with a white actress received backlash from the audience.
To avoid offending his core audience, he decided to forego the romantic scenes with Roberts.
Speculation arose that John Grisham, the author of the original novel, opposed Washington’s casting in the film adaptation.
Allegedly, Grisham envisioned a different portrayal of the character, leading to friction regarding Washington’s involvement.
Despite these challenges, Washington’s dedication to his roles remained steadfast.
While Washington has portrayed romantic scenes with white co-stars in the past, instances arose where love storylines were altered at his behest.
Kelly Lynch, his co-star in the movie “Virtuosity,” expressed disappointment when their romantic subplot was removed.
Washington’s rationale, as shared by Lynch, stemmed from concerns about audience reception and perceptions regarding interracial relationships on screen.
In a similar vein, reports emerged suggesting that a love scene between Washington and another white actor was edited out from a different movie, “Man on Fire.”
Washington’s representatives denied any intentional removal of scenes based on racial considerations, emphasizing his commitment to delivering compelling performances while respecting audience sentiments.
Denzel Washington’s principled stance on love scenes underscores his sensitivity towards audience expectations and his dedication to portraying characters authentically.
His decisions have sparked discussions about diversity and representation in Hollywood, reflecting a nuanced approach to on-screen relationships.
