Paul Verhoven Reveals Charlize Theron Was Turned Down For 'Showgirls,' Talks Scrapped Sequel 'Bimbos'

Twenty years ago, the movie world was a very different place. Young actress Elizabeth Berkley was trying to use her popularity in the sitcom "Saved By The Bell" as a launchpad to a big screen career, while someone named Charlize Theron hadn't even made feature film yet. However, both of their stars would cross, however briefly, in the audition room for Paul Verhoeven's disasterpiece, "Showgirls." 

"Charlize also auditioned, and I don't recall her having any problem with the nudity at all. She was good and wanted the part, but basically she was not well known enough at the time and just did not fit the part, so we said no," the director admits to New York Daily News. And Verhoeven is candid, saying it wouldn't have made a difference if she had landed the role over Berkley, as he takes full ownership for the heightened (read: campy) tone of the movie.

READ MORE: Paul Verhoeven Talks His "Felliniesque," Intentionally...