Sandra Bullock Denies Reports She Passed on Million Dollar Baby Role  3/7/05

Actress Says Her Production Company Tried To Get the Film Made, But "No One Wanted It"

SHOW AIRS ON MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2005

BURBANK, Calif. – March 7, 2005 – In an interview with "Access Hollywood's" Shaun Robinson, actress Sandra Bullock says that reports she passed on Hilary Swank's role in the Academy Award ® -winning film, "Million Dollar Baby" are "total rubbish." Bullock also reveals that her production company, Fortis Films, tried to make the film, but "no one wanted it." The interview airs on "Access Hollywood," Monday, March 7, 2005 (check local listings for time and station).

"That is total rubbish," said Bullock of reports that she passed on the film. The actress then clarified that she did make an unsuccessful attempt at bringing the Oscar®-winner to the silver screen prior to Clint Eastwood or Hilary Swank's involvement, via her production company, Fortis Films. "Here's the thing, we had 'Million Dollar Baby' with someone else for awhile trying to get it made," she says. "I couldn't get it made. We tried and tried and no one wanted it. They thought that how 'Million Dollar Baby,' ends and that...female boxing movies wouldn't sell and I was like, 'this is the most incredible piece.'"

However, the actress says that she believes everything turned out the way it was meant to. "I started doing 'Miss Congeniality 2,' and then they got Hilary and Clint," she says. "When things like that happen, that's the way they are supposed to be."

"Access Hollywood" is produced by NBC and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Rob K. Silverstein is the executive producer.