Halle Berry played the role of Storm in the classic X-Men movie series from 2000 to 2014. The A-list star’s portrayal of the weather-manipulating mutant has left a mark in the minds of many, to the point that it’s hard to think of Storm without thinking of Berry. However, before the actress gave life to this powerful mutant, a pop music icon almost played Ororo Munroe on the big screen, and it was none other than Janet Jackson.
During her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show over the weekend, the host asked Jackson about being offered a role in The Matrix. And though the youngest child of the Jackson family admitted that she was indeed considered to take part in an iconic movie, she cleared it was in Bryan Singer’s first X-Men film of the 2000s.
“It was… this is horrible. I can’t remember the film, but Halle Berry played Storm,” she said.
Sadly, the 57-year-old didn’t accept the offer due to her busy schedule. She had a lot on her plate at the time, with her music tour just starting.
“I couldn’t because I was just embarking on the Janet tour,” she continued. “But I think that’s what you’re confusing it with. It wasn’t The Matrix.”
Jackson wasn’t the only music icon who almost played the role of Storm in X-Men. The film’s screenwriter, David Hayter, told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 that the pop diva Mariah Carey was also considered for the part, alongside the Black Panther star Angela Bassett, who was the filmmaker’s first choice to be Storm.
Hayter also revealed that Janet’s brother, the late Michael Jackson, lobbied for the role of Charles Xavier. Sadly, it didn’t happen, and the character went to Patrick Stewart.
Will Harry Berry play Storm again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Berry first played the role of Storm in the 2000 X-Men, followed by the 2003 X2: X-Men United and the 2006 X-Men: The Last Stand. After eight years, she donned Storm’s suit again in the 2014 Day of the Future Past. However, it was the last time fans saw Berry playing the high-profile character.
That said, many can’t help but wonder if she’s willing to reprise the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an interview with Comicbook in 2022, the Catwoman star revealed that she’s open to revisiting her role as Catwoman and Storm in the DC or Marvel universes.
“I would revisit any of them, actually,” she said. “I loved all of those characters and I was always grateful to get to play them and be a part of those big franchises, you know? So, I would revisit any of them.”
There are rumors that Berry will return as Storm in the MCU through Deadpool & Wolverine. Allegedly, she’s one of the secret celebrity cameos that will be seen in the threequel. X (formerly Twitter) user MyTimeToShineHello claimed in July 2023 that Berry would be part of the film. Add to that her March 2023 X post of her trademark silver hair photo, it looks like the actress is teasing her return.
Deadpool & Wolverine will feature the return of the classic X-Men movie villains, as seen in its trailer. Hence, there’s a big chance that the original X-Men stars, including Berry, will make their cameos to join Wolverine as he takes a leap into the MCU.
