Charlize Theron reveals the Oscar-winning film she was fired from

She's played everyone from a real-life serial killer to a fairytale Queen, but in a new interview Charlize Theron reveals there's one role that slipped through her fingers: Roxie Hart.

Theron told Howard Stern that she had signed on to play the lead role in the Oscar-winning 2002 big screen adaptation of the musical Chicago - before being unceremoniously booted from the flick.

"I was attached to Chicago for a while. I really, really ... I was a dancer for most of my life and there was a real nostalgia in making that movie for me," she revealed.

"But I got kicked off it. The director kicked me off. I was really bummed about it."
Theron said she was dumped from the film when the original director left the project before shooting began, replaced with successful musical director Rob Marshall.

"He didn't want to make the movie with me," she said, noting that this was before her 2003 Best Actress Oscar win had given her a significant career boost.

The role instead went to Renée Zellweger, who Theron was quick to praise.

"She did an amazing job. I'm fully envious of what she did. I've seen that movie a lot, and I've fantasised to be in that movie."

She said it still hurt that Marshall hadn't contacted her directly to let her know her services were no longer required in the film, which would go on to win six Academy Awards including Best Picture.

"He did it through the studio, he didn't do it personally. My manager at the time called me," she said.

"Here's the thing, though: I do understand, if I was in his position and I was handed a cast I didn't necessarily want to go and dedicate a year of my life to, I totally get it. Still, I felt it a little bit."