Debra Winger Reveals Why She Left ‘A League of Their Own’ Due to Madonna’s Casting, Describing It as an “Elvis Film”

Debra Winger, the renowned actress, has spoken openly about her decision to walk away from the film A League of Their Own.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the 66-year-old Oscar-nominated actress explained that she withdrew from the Penny Marshall movie after pop icon Madonna was cast to play one of the athletes in the ensemble.

Winger believed that the film was turning into “an Elvis film” rather than the project she had spent three months seriously training for with the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Winger stated, “The studio agreed with me because it was the only time I ever collected a pay-or-play on my contract.”

She further explained that she received her payment even though she did not participate in the film, which is quite rare in the industry.

Reflecting on the final product, Winger commented, “As entertaining as [the final film] was, you don't walk away going ‘Wow, those women did that.'

You kind of go ‘Is that true?'”

As a result of Winger's departure, Geena Davis took on the role of Dottie Hinson, which ultimately earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Winger acknowledged Davis's performance, stating, “She did okay.”

A League of Their Own also starred Tom Hanks, Lori Petty, and Rosie O'Donnell.

While Winger expressed no ill will towards her fellow cast members, she did have reservations about Madonna's acting abilities, suggesting that her career speaks for itself.

Madonna's representative has not yet responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.

It is worth noting that Winger has been nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Actress, specifically for her roles in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Terms of Endearment (1983), and Shadowlands (1993).

Currently, she stars in the Apple TV+ series Mr. Corman.

Madonna, now 63, received a Golden Globe nomination for best original song for her contribution to A League of Their Own with “This Used to Be My Playground.”

She has since appeared in films such as Evita (1996) and directed the 2011 film W.E.

Additionally, there have been reports about her writing and directing a biopic about her own life, with assistance from Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody.

In 2017, Davis reminisced about her experience working on the iconic sports movie, including her audition, which involved demonstrating her throwing skills.

Davis shared, “[Marshall] wanted to make sure I could throw a ball, so that happened.

I threw the ball to her, competently got it to her, she caught it and said, ‘Okay.'

That was the whole audition,” as she revealed in an interview with USA Today.

Davis also recalled initial concerns about collaborating with a famous musician like Madonna.

She wondered if they would be able to communicate with her and if she would be accompanied by an entourage or surrounded by walls of separation.

However, Davis praised Madonna's willingness to fully participate in the project, describing her as a trooper.

In a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, Winger discussed taking a break from Hollywood at the age of 40 and experiencing conflicts with some of her co-stars.

She expressed her perspective on Hollywood, stating, “I don't know what Hollywood is.

I'm living under the freaking sign now, and I just stare at it and laugh.”

Winger emphasized that Broadway felt more like a family compared to Hollywood, although she acknowledged the existence of certain exclusive circles within the industry that she might not be aware of.