Winslet Nearly Missed The Reader Role

Film mogul Harvey Weinstein, whose company was behind the critically acclaimed picture, has revealed producers spoke to three other actresses before turning to Winslet.

Nicole Kidman was originally signed to the movie, but was forced to quit after she fell pregnant with her daughter, Sunday Rose, who was born last year (08).

Producers then turned to Marion Cotillard and Naomi Watts, before director Stephen Daldry suggested Winslet for the lead.

Weinstein says, "Before Kate came onboard, Anthony Minghella, myself and (producer) Scott Rudin had a conversation.

"I said 'Scott, shes got Revolutionary Road. I think we should have insurance.'

"I had Marion Cotillard, the French actress, go to Germany and shoot a screen test. She was great. Then we contacted Naomi Watts. Shes available. Then we redid the conversation and said these people are available.

"(But) Stephen Daldry wanted to work with Kate."

Winslet has already won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for her performance as a concentration camp guard in The Reader and will compete for the Best Actress honour at the upcoming Academy Awards on Sunday (22Feb09).