Travolta almost took over Prince’s role in Purple Rain

Albert Magnoli, who directed the 1984 semi-autobiographical film Purple Rain inspired by Prince’s life, has revealed that the makers originally wanted actor John Travolta to star in the film rather than the late pop icon.

Magnoli told the Rolling Stone magazine that Prince, who passed away last month, and his management team first only planned to finance the movie.  

After Warner Bros. expressed interest, the then-recent film school graduate had a sit-down with the studio’s executives, who asked during the meeting if they could cast a big name actor for the lead role, reports aceshowbiz.com.