10 Actors Who Lost Roles For Insane Reasons
2. Elle Fanning Had Less Instagram Followers Than Sophie Turner - X-Men: Apocalypse
In a 2023 interview, Elle Fanning revealed to Variety that she missed out on a large blockbuster franchise role due to not having enough Instagram followers.
Though Fanning declined to disclose the precise film, it's largely accepted that she was talking about X-Men: Apocalypse, given that this is the only major blockbuster she has ever been reported as being in the running for.
Fanning was in the mix to play Jean Grey, with the role ultimately going to Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner.
Furthermore, in 2017 Turner revealed that she won the X-Men role due to her massive 5.4 million Instagram followers, winning out against an actress who she described as "far better" than herself.
And, considering that most folks would surely consider Elle Fanning a better actress than Sophie Turner, this all seems to fit together quite easily.
In a fun twist, though, Fanning's name is once again being mentioned as a possible contender to play Jean Grey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new take on the X-Men, which would certainly be a serendipitous outcome.