Dolly Parton was once being considered for Faye Dunaway’s villain role in Supergirl — and the story behind why she never took it is even more surprising. In a resurfaced 1982 interview, Dolly revealed that she had been approached about playing Selena, the glamorous witch who would eventually become one of the movie’s central villains. At the time, she was seriously considering the part, even discussing the possibility of spending three months filming in London. Then came the detail that makes this Hollywood “what if” so fascinating: years later, Dolly revealed she had been offered $7 million for the role. The money was impressive. The character, however, was another story. Dolly eventually turned down the opportunity, explaining that she simply didn’t want to play a purely evil character — even though she joked that she could certainly be an “evil witch” at times. Had she said yes, Selena could have looked very different from the version Faye Dunaway ultimately brought to the screen.

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Dolly Parton Nearly Played Supergirl’s Villain Before Faye Dunaway

Dolly Parton came surprisingly close to taking on one of the most memorable villain roles in the 1984 film Supergirl — the part that ultimately went to Faye Dunaway.

In a resurfaced 1982 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton revealed that she was considering playing Selena, the ambitious witch who goes up against Helen Slater’s Supergirl.

Dolly Parton was up for villain role in 'Supergirl' that went to Faye Dunaway

At the time, Parton was already an established music star and was building a second career on screen. But although the role intrigued her, one major question remained: did she really want to leave home for three months to film in London?

“I might play a witch, and if I do, I’ll have to go to London for three months,” Parton said in the interview. “So it depends on if I want to leave home that much. If I want to be a witch that bad.”

She even joked about the progression of her recent screen roles, saying, “I think going from a secretary to a madame to a witch wouldn’t be bad.”

Ultimately, however, Parton decided against the project.

Why Dolly Parton Turned Down the Role

SUPERGIRL, Brenda Vaccaro, Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater, 1984,

Years later, Parton explained that it was not simply the filming location that made her hesitate.

In a 1992 interview with the Chicago Tribune, she revealed that she had actually been offered $7 million to play the same character Dunaway eventually portrayed.

“I will not play just an evil part,” Parton said.

Although the amount of money caught her attention, the nature of the character did not sit comfortably with her.

“I was kind of insulted. I was impressed with the money, but I said, ‘Why are you asking me to play an evil witch? Do I come across as an evil witch to you?’”

Parton emphasized that she did not want to be limited to playing only sweet or virtuous characters. At the same time, she felt that a completely evil role did not reflect who she was.

“I’m sure I can be an evil witch at times. But that’s not my real nature, and I don’t have a desire to do anything like that,” she explained.

She also described herself as “an entertainer more than … an actress,” adding that her goal was “to make people feel good.”

That philosophy helped shape the kinds of roles she chose throughout her career.

The Role That Went to Faye Dunaway

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In Supergirl, Selena became one of the film’s central antagonists, with Dunaway bringing a deliberately theatrical, campy energy to the character.

The 1984 movie starred Helen Slater as Superman’s cousin and followed Supergirl as she faced Selena and her magical ambitions.

Had Parton accepted the role, Selena would have looked very different from the version audiences ultimately saw on screen.

Instead, Parton continued pursuing projects that were closer to her strengths and public persona.

According to the Chicago Tribune, she once admitted that she did not consider herself “a great enough of an actress to do anything totally separate from me.”

She joked that her Southern accent was also difficult to escape.

“And I think I have to play something where I have a Southern accent — either that or I’d have to be a mute,” she said.

Other Projects Dolly Parton Almost Made

Supergirl was not the only major film project that Parton considered but never made.

The Chicago Tribune also mentioned several unrealized projects that could have featured her, including a biopic about cosmetics entrepreneur Mary Kay Ash and a gospel-oriented musical.

Parton would eventually appear in the similarly music-driven film Joyful Noise, although it was a separate project.

Another especially intriguing proposal would have paired Parton with Bette Midler.

The two were reportedly considered for a story about sisters who had never met, were forced to live together to inherit their father’s fortune and eventually became singing partners.

None of those projects came to fruition at the time.

From The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas to Rhinestone

When Parton spoke with Entertainment Tonight in 1982, she had just come off her second feature film, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

The movie performed well with audiences despite receiving harsh reviews from critics, and Parton was pleased with her contribution.

“I felt good about my part in the movie. I’m real happy to hear all [financial success] because we all need the money,” she joked.

She also made it clear that she was proud of the film and the work of its cast.

Parton’s next movie would be Rhinestone, which she made with Sylvester Stallone in 1984. Neither Rhinestone nor Supergirl became a major critical or commercial success.

But their paths marked very different directions for the two projects: while Dunaway took on the role Parton had considered, Parton continued building a screen career that would eventually include the acclaimed 1989 drama Steel Magnolias.

The Supergirl role remains one of those fascinating Hollywood “what ifs” — a part that could have put Parton in an entirely different kind of spotlight.

Instead of playing the evil witch, she chose characters and projects that allowed her to remain closer to the entertainer audiences already knew and loved.