Films today are more inclusive than their predecessors.

One of those films that didn’t age well was 2001’s “Monster’s Ball.”

But the film almost played out differently.

Vanessa Williams posing on the red carpet

“So I was happy that I dodged that bullet.”

“It’s about character,” she said.

“I wasn’t going to be a prostitute on film.

Vanessa Williams posing on the red carpet

I couldn’t do that because it’s such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.”

Angela Bassett posing on the red carpet