Warner Bros
Diane Kruger told Variety that she had an "uncomfortable" screen test for "Troy" where she had to stand in front of a studio executive in her costume for the movie.
Kruger starred in the 2004 adaptation of Homer's great epic "The Iliad" as Helen, the former Queen of Sparta who Paris (Orlando Bloom) carries to Troy to be his wife, inevitably starting a war with her husband.
During an interview with Variety at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Kruger recalled the "disgusting" behavior she has encountered in her career in Hollywood.
"I've definitely come across the Weinsteins of this world from the get go," the "National Treasure" actress said. "I remember testing for 'Troy' and having to go to the studio head in costume. And I felt like meat, being looked up and down and was asked, 'Why do you think you should be playing this?'"
Kruger refused to name the studio executive for the film, which was released by Warner Bros., but Variety reported that their industry insiders said it wasn't common for a star to present themselves in costume in an executive's office for an audition.
Insider has reached out to Warner Bros. for comment.
Kruger's new Roku series "Swimming with Sharks," which was was screened at the SXSW festival, is a dark look behind the scenes of a fictional film company. However, Kruger said that filming the series, rebooted from the 1994 film of the same name, reminded her of her own experience in Hollywood.
Lionsgate Television / The Roku Channel
Kruger continued: "I've been put in situations that were so inappropriate and so uncomfortable. I think when I first started out, it just felt like, this is what it's like. This is what Hollywood is like. Also I come from modeling and believe me, they have their moments."
Kruger then spoke to Variety about a particular scene where her "Swimming with Sharks" character, a Hollywood CEO, is forced to perform a sexual act on a nurse in front of her boss (Donald Sutherland).
"Shooting that scene was just a reminder of how disgusting and acceptable bad behavior was at a certain time in our society, not just Hollywood," the 45-year-old actress said. "What really drew me to this part is that it is the Hollywood of 2022. So women have careers, they put their families or their desires on the back burner."
She added: "What does that mean once you are in a position of power? How do you complete your life? The vulnerability of this character, combined with this excessive abusive of power, was really intriguing to me."
"Swimming with Sharks" premieres on The Roku Channel on April 15.
