The Oscar-Nominated Role Jennifer Lopez Could Have Had – And Her ‘Toe-Shooting’ Regret

ennifer Lopez’s storied career has seen her conquer music, fashion, and film with a signature blend of charisma and work ethic. From early triumphs in Selena and Anaconda to her reign over the romantic comedy genre with hits like Maid in Manhattan and The Wedding Planner, Lopez cemented herself as a powerhouse performer and cultural icon. Yet even for someone as accomplished as J.Lo, there are career decisions that still sting—and one in particular remains a major regret.

In a recent reflection on her career, Lopez revealed that she once turned down the lead role in Unfaithful (2002), a part that eventually earned Diane Lane an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Directed by Adrian Lyne, the steamy psychological thriller follows Connie Sumner, a suburban wife whose passionate affair with a younger man leads to devastating consequences.

“There was a movie called Unfaithful. And it was offered to me, and the script, for me, wasn’t all the way there,” Lopez admitted. “I should have known that [director] Adrian Lyne was going to kill it, but I didn’t. Diane Lane was so perfect for it, and it was obviously meant to be her, but when I think about that, I want to literally, like, shoot my toe off. I do.”

Lopez’s comments underline how tricky it can be for actors to foresee a film’s potential—especially when a script alone doesn’t yet capture the director’s vision. In hindsight, passing on Unfaithful is a regret she carries not because Lane didn’t excel—Lane was spectacular—but because the project represented the kind of gritty, emotionally raw role that Lopez would later master in Hustlers (2019).

Hustlers, directed by Lorene Scafaria, marked a stunning career resurgence for Lopez. Her portrayal of Ramona, a savvy and ruthless New York stripper exploiting Wall Street’s elite, drew widespread acclaim and earned her numerous award nominations. Much like Adam Sandler’s transformative turn in Uncut Gems, Hustlers shattered public preconceptions about Lopez’s range, proving she was far more than just a rom-com queen or pop superstar.

Had Lopez taken Unfaithful two decades earlier, she might have fast-tracked this evolution. Instead, it remains a tantalizing “what if” moment in her career—a reminder that even the most successful stars have moments where foresight fails and opportunity slips away.

Still, Lopez’s willingness to revisit these missed chances with humor and honesty only adds to her enduring appeal. And given her appetite for reinvention, it wouldn’t be surprising if she soon found herself headlining another indie gem that channels the same raw energy and critical acclaim as Hustlers.

For now, though, Unfaithful remains the one that got away—and Lopez will just have to settle for being one of Hollywood’s most resilient and versatile performers.