"Everybody gets typecast in movies, but you have to make wise choices. I'd say around 90 percent of movie casting is about the way you look, so you have to fight that. If producers had their way, I'd only be in action films, but I'm interested in a more varied career than that"

Famke Janssen highlights the persistent issue of typecasting in the film industry, where actors are often pigeonholed into particular roles based primarily on physical appearance. She acknowledges that while casting decisions are overwhelmingly influenced by how someone looks, she estimates it as high as 90 percent, there remains a need for deliberate and strategic choices by the actors themselves. Janssen’s perspective sheds light on the limited agency actors possess within a system that often values superficial attributes over depth and versatility.

Rather than succumbing to restrictive expectations, Janssen emphasizes the importance of agency and mindful decision-making in her career. She is aware that producers, motivated by profitability and formulaic successes, might repeatedly cast her in action films. This reflects a broader trend in Hollywood, where once an actor is successful in a particular genre or role, industry professionals prefer to rely on that proven formula. Such tendencies, however, contribute to a creative stagnation and can stifle an actor’s development, preventing them from exploring diverse and challenging parts.

Janssen’s desire for a varied career conveys her commitment to artistic growth and the pursuit of roles that challenge her as a performer. Her stance serves as a reminder that the outward image projected or perceived is just one aspect of an actor's capability. By advocating for broader opportunities beyond what she is initially typecast in, she hopes to expand her repertoire and continue growing within her profession. Her reflection is both an insight into personal resilience and a critique of an industry that too often overlooks talent and potential in favor of appearances. For aspiring actors and audiences alike, Janssen’s statement encourages a more nuanced appreciation for actors’ talents beyond their visual fit for a given role, valuing versatility and depth over the comfort of familiar casting.