If you grew up in the 1990s, the name Susan Powter might resonate with you. Known for her short, spikey blonde hair and fitness infomercials featuring her iconic catchphrase, “Stop the insanity,” Powter reached celebrity status during that era. Today, she leads a quieter life as an Uber Eats driver in Las Vegas, but back then, she was a sought-after personality. In a surprising revelation, Powter shared that she was once approached by Kevin Costner to star in his infamous movie, Waterworld.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Powter recounted how she received a call from Costner during her peak popularity while she was at a beauty appointment in Los Angeles. At the time, Costner was gearing up to shoot Waterworld, and the role he described was that of a “crazy warrior.” Powter recalls, “It was an intelligent conversation. I said, ‘I really appreciate you thinking of me.’ It’s a movie; I’m not going to be a jerk. S**t! A movie! We were talking about the role.” Despite their engaging conversation, Powter ultimately declined the offer. She thoughtfully explained, “[The character is] just not who I am. I’m passionate; I’m not angry. There’s a difference.”
This decision, however, came with its own consequences. Powter disclosed that her choice to turn down Waterworld caused a rift with her manager, who was “livid because she wanted the movie.” Waterworld, despite its high expectations, became a hallmark of cinematic failure in the 90s, leaving a lasting impact on Kevin Costner’s career.
While Waterworld garnered a reputation as one of the worst flops of its time, Powter maintains a positive outlook. She fondly reflects on her interaction with Costner, stating, “What I know is I had a nice conversation with a very nice man, and he understood.” Despite the film’s tarnished legacy, Powter expresses that she wasn’t affected by its poor reception.
Upon its release, Waterworld quickly became known as the most expensive movie ever made, with a staggering budget of about $235 million. However, it only managed to gross approximately $264 million worldwide, falling short of financial success. The film didn’t see profitability until years later, driven by home video sales, TV rights, and various merchandise, including novels, video games, and comic books.
Despite its notorious reputation, Waterworld might not be as bad as everyone remembers. The film features elaborate set pieces and an abundance of action, with creative ideas that, although perhaps poorly executed, managed to keep the film afloat rather than allowing it to sink into the depths of obscurity. While it isn’t one of Kevin Costner’s standout performances, it does provide enough entertainment value to justify its 135-minute runtime.
Today, fans can still revisit the 1995 classic, as it is available for streaming on Netflix. The story of Susan Powter and Kevin Costner exemplifies the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting decisions and how they can shape the trajectory of a film’s legacy, especially in the case of a project like Waterworld.
