Elle Fanning Lost a Big Franchise Movie Over Instagram Follower Count: ‘I Don’t Feel Pressure’ to Join Marvel, ‘Star Wars’ and More

Elle Fanning has some experience starring in a major studio franchise thanks to her role as Aurora in Disneys two Maleficent movies, but the 25-year-old star has yet to join franchise behemoths like Star Wars and Marvel. During a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fanning was asked if there is pressure on her career to join big studio franchises in order to stay relevant as an actor.

I dont feel that [pressure]. I dont, Fanning said, while also acknowledging that joining the likes of Marvel, Star Wars or DC does something for other actors careers. But you also dont know if theyre going to work sometimes, which is scary, she added.

Fanning confirmed that she has auditioned for at least one big franchise movie. She revealed she lost out on a role because her social media wasnt sufficient enough for the studio.

I did try out forIm not going to say what it was, but I didnt get a part once for something big because it might not have just been this reason, but this was the feedback that I heard was because I didnt have enoughInstagramfollowers at the time, Fanning said. So that was a little likeI firmly dont believe in not getting a part [for that]. It was for a bigger thing, a franchise thing.

Fanning, who currently boasts 7 million Instagram followers, is making the press rounds in support of Hulus The Great Season 3, in which she stars opposite Nicholas Hoult. Her co-star has been more vocal recently in discussing how hes missed out on franchise films such as Top Gun: Maverick and Matt Reeves The Batman. Hoult lost the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman to Robert Pattinson.

I would never say no to those things, but I would have to have a meeting and really talk to see what it is, Fanning added about joining a franchise. I didnt have to go through what Nick didthey made him try the [Batman] suit on. You need a balance. If you want to do your indie work, especially in producing now[having a big franchise] does make you breathe better.

The Great Season 3 debuts May 12 on Hulu. Watch Fannings full interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast below.